Stakeholders discuss draft on social dialogue in Public Service

Accra Oct. 1, GNA - Mr. Yaw Barimah, Minister of Manpower Development and Employment, on Wednesday said either government, employer or workers should always reach consensus on social dialogue issues to ensure healthy labour front that would increase productivity for accelerated national development.

He said some social partners always take entrenched positions when particular issues were being discussed and such behaviours often prolong the implementation of certain policies.

This was contained in a speech read for the Minister at the opening of a two-day workshop national on social dialogue in Public Service reform in Accra.

The workshop, under the theme: "To test the practical guide for strengthening social dialogue in public service reform" organised by the International Labour Organisation, is a follow-up to conclusions adopted by the joint meeting on the impact of decentralisation and privatisation on municipal services held in Geneva in October 2001.

Participants would discuss and validate the draft on practical guide for strengthening social dialogue in public service, which underscored a win-win approach that focused on the issue rather than the person.

They would also examine and evaluate the reforms undertaken in Ghana in the light of the various recommendations made in the practical guide.

The draft also looks at a process that facilitates problem solving and decision making to enhance the effectiveness of public service as well as the quality of life for public service workers.

Mr Barimah gave the assurance that the government would ensure a healthy labour front by promoting employment social right, social dialogue and social protection and create an enabling environment that would promote and encourage private sector development.

Dr Alex Glover-Quartey, Head of the Civil Service said efforts by the service to engage workers in the formulation of policies that concerned them have proved futile adding, "this workshop will give us the opportunity to dialogue and put across our concerns".

He said the introduction of technology had brought about retrenchment in public service and called for the policy to consider and address this issue.