Consultation, Dialogue and Compromise, Tools for effective relationship

Kumasi, May.1, GNA-Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister has said that consultation, dialogue and compromise are the tools that are recommended for effective relationship among government, employers association and labour.

He, however, cautioned that in the efforts to ensure participation and consultation, care must be taken not to unleash chaos in the conduct of public affairs and as a result undermine good governance. Mr Boafo was addressing workers at a May Day rally in Kumasi on Saturday after they had spent several hours in a clean-up exercise at the Komfo Anokye Teaching hospital (KATH).

The Day was celebrated with the theme: "Social Protection and Economic Development, The Role of Organised Labour".

He said, "it is important we appreciate the fact that the government derives its legitimacy from the people. Thus workers are not different from the government and there should be cordial relationship between workers and government".

Leadership of organised labour, he said, should educate the workers on government policies and help government to realise those objectives that will ensure national growth and development. "We should not resort to unnecessary confrontation with management and government", he said.

The Regional Minister called on the workers to take advantage of training programmes to enrich their capabilities, adding the management at various workplaces are also urged to develop, "esprit de corps" among workers so that job satisfaction would be improved.

In a speech read on his behalf, Mr Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) said May Day celebration is a living testimony of what workers unity and struggle can achieve.

He said when it comes to the interest of the working population, "we must be ready to re-inforce our conviction in unity as a fundamental rights of workers movement.

"No matter what organisational differences exist among workers, we should seek the unity in action of the labour movement. On the other hand, we believe to be in action, we must also pursue efforts at organisational unity when the opportunities present themselves".

Mr Adu-Amankwah pledged workers commitment to national concern to improve productivity and stressed that equity in the sharing of the outcomes which is necessary for the attainment of realities in incomes. Miss Georgina Opoku, Ashanti Regional Chairperson of the Regional Council of Labour called on all workers to be active in labour movement activities to improve their lots.

Fourteen workers of the union were honoured for their devoted services to labour movement. They each had Ghetto blaster, badge and certificate.