Institutions should collaborate with new informal waste workers union — Dr Pelpuo

The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Pelpuo, has called on Ministries, Assemblies, recycling companies, Producer Responsibility Organisations and CSOs to work closely with the newly launched National Informal Waste Worker Union (NIWWU) to advance Ghana's circular economy agenda.

Speaking at the launch of the union in Accra, Dr Pelpuo said stronger collaboration among stakeholders would help improve the welfare of informal waste workers while promoting sustainable waste management across the country.

Dr Pelpuo said the formation of the union gives formal recognition to thousands of waste workers whose contributions have supported environmental protection, public health and national development.

"Today's event is a powerful affirmation that the men and women who recover, sort, recycle and divert waste from our landfills have made invaluable contributions to environmental sustainability, public health and national development," he said.

The Minister explained that the union was established in line with the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), and International Labour Organisation conventions ratified by Ghana, which guarantee every worker the right to form or join a trade union. He said that once registered by the Chief Labour Officer, the union has the legal authority to organise, negotiate and represent the interests of its members.

Dr Pelpuo said Ghana is joining countries such as India and Brazil that have organised informal waste workers into unions and cooperatives to improve access to decent work and social protection.

Dr Pelpuo urged the newly elected leadership of the union to lead with integrity, uphold democratic governance, promote unity and ensure the active participation of women and young people before officially unveiling the union's logo and institutional identity. If this is for publication on a government website, this version follows a straightforward news style with a strong lead and a clear flow.

Speaking on behalf of GAYO, Richard Matey said the launch reflected years of organising and relationship-building.

He noted that recognition required organisation, representation, and partnerships, and such understanding had shaped the journey that has brought the union this far, adding that inclusion for the sector was therefore an ongoing process that would continue with legal recognition, municipal integration, and expanded market access.

The National Informal Waste Worker Union was established through the efforts of the Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO), its partners and thousands of informal waste workers from all 16 regions of the country.

The National Informal Waste Worker Union, launched under the theme, "From Informality to Inclusion: Recognising Informal Waste Workers as Essential Actors in Ghana's Circular Economy," is the country's first labour union dedicated to representing informal waste collectors, sorters and recyclers.