Need for an incomes policy-TUC

Accra, May 1, GNA - The Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and Organised Labour on Sunday stressed the need for an incomes policy that would ensure an economic growth shared equitably among Ghanaians. Mr Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, Secretary General of the GTUC who made the call said the growing earnings inequality in the country showed clearly that the economic growth Ghana had gained in the past two decades had benefited only a small section of the population.

"Thus economic growth alone, though necessary is not sufficient for poverty reduction," he added.

Mr Adu-Amankwaah was delivering this year's national May Day address at a workers parade in Accra.

The theme for the celebrations was: " Unity of purpose under freedom of Association, the goal of organized labour".

The Secretary General of the GTUC said the continuing erosion in real incomes had led to a critical appraisal of the direction of taxation in recent times.

He called on the Government to take up the issue of employment creation and pay attention to the textile industry that had been known to be one of the labour intensive industries that could help tackle the problem of unemployment in the country.

Mr Adu-Amankwah pledged the commitment of organized labour to rededicate themselves to the struggle for a living wage in Ghana and for better social security for Ghanaian workers.

"We also pledge ourselves to greater advocacy over the issue of fairer taxation and for public policy that promotes employment and the development of domestic production and national productivity", he added.