GFL vows to pursue justice for worker who lost five fingers at Afienya Industrial Zone

The Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has vowed to pursue justice for a worker who reportedly lost all five fingers while operating heavy machinery at the Afienya Industrial Zone.

Mr Koomson said the incident highlights concerns over the enforcement of occupational health and safety regulations as industrial activities expand across the country.

Speaking to Modern Ghana News on Monday, he called for the full implementation of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), and accountability where employer negligence is established.

He described the incident as deeply disturbing and inhumane, alleging that the company involved had stopped paying the injured worker following the accident, leaving him without an income despite the life-altering injury.

Mr Koomson said the GFL would conduct an unannounced visit to the facility to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that the matter receives the necessary attention.

He said the federation's intervention was also intended to send a strong signal that unsafe working conditions and labour exploitation would not be tolerated.

Citing Sections 118 to 126 of Act 651, Mr Koomson said the law places significant responsibilities on employers to protect workers from occupational hazards.

He specifically referenced Section 118(1), which states: “It is the duty of an employer to ensure that every worker employed by him or her works under satisfactory, safe and healthy conditions.”

He said Section 118(2) further requires employers to provide and maintain safe plant and systems of work, provide workers with the necessary information, instructions, training and supervision, and take steps to prevent accidents and injuries arising from work.

According to Mr Koomson, Section 118(5) also makes it an offence, subject to the statutory conditions, for an employer to fail to fulfil those obligations.

“This is not a favour. It is the law. Every employer must provide safe machinery, protective guards, safety training and supervision. When a worker loses five fingers on a machine, it means that system has failed,” Mr Koomson stated.

He questioned whether the appropriate authorities had taken the necessary steps following the reported accident, particularly the Labour Department.

Mr Koomson cited Section 120 of Act 651, which requires employers to report occupational accidents and diseases to the appropriate government agency as soon as practicable and no later than seven days after the occurrence.

“The critical question is, was this accident reported within seven days? Did the Labour Department investigate? Was the machine inspected? We must establish the facts,” he demanded.

He also drew attention to Section 122, which provides for labour inspections to enforce provisions of the Act relating to working conditions and the protection of workers, including their safety, health and welfare.

Mr Koomson further cited Section 124, which empowers labour inspectors to enter workplaces without notice during working hours, conduct examinations and investigations, take samples, inspect machinery and direct employers to make alterations to machinery or installations where necessary to avert danger.

He said Section 126 makes it an offence for anyone to wilfully obstruct a labour inspector in the performance of the inspector's functions.

“The law gives labour inspectors the power to enter any factory without notice. Why are we not seeing regular, unannounced inspections in our industrial zones? The inspectorate must be resourced, empowered and made to work,” he argued.

The GFL Secretary-General said the federation was prepared to support efforts to address gaps in enforcement and ensure that appropriate measures were taken to protect workers.

He also expressed concern about what he described as the exploitation of Ghanaian workers by some foreign nationals operating businesses in the country.

“We will not sit down for all these Chinese nationals to establish and exploit labour and then maim them. Then we don’t need them here,” he said, warning that foreign direct investment should not come at the expense of Ghanaian lives and safety.

Mr Koomson stressed that industrial expansion must be anchored on decent work principles, including safe working conditions, fair remuneration and social protection.

He said the allegation that the injured worker's wages had been stopped raised a separate concern about employment rights and social justice.

According to him, Section 9(b) of the Labour Act identifies the payment of agreed remuneration in accordance with the employment contract, collective bargaining agreement or applicable law as one of an employer's core duties.

Mr Koomson alleged that the worker had been neglected and his wages stopped after the accident, saying that if established, such conduct would amount to further victimisation of an already injured worker.

He said the GFL would pursue the matter until the worker received adequate compensation, medical care and justice as provided under the Workmen's Compensation Law and the Labour Act.

The GFL Secretary-General maintained that the incident at Afienya should serve as a turning point for Ghana's labour administration.

“GFL is calling for immediate investigation and public report by the Labour Department and the Factories Inspectorate; full enforcement of Sections 118-126 of Act 651; and mandatory compensation and continued payment of the injured worker pending full recovery.

“We are also calling for regular, unannounced safety audits in all industrial zones across Ghana,” he stated.