Hostile labour climate reduced productivity by 36- Ghana Employers Association discloses


The Ghana Employers Association says the relatively hostile industrial climate that hit the labour front last year and this year reduced productivity by thirty six percent. 

Labour related complaints also increased from fourth one percent in 2015 to sixty six percent in the first half of this year. 

In his last report as chief executive of the Ghana employers association, Alex Boampong said while Labour dissatisfaction continue to be the central challenge for both public and private sector workers, common platforms to listen to workers concerns are not available in most workplaces. 

Mr. Boampong charged the TUC to create a more accessible employer concern mechanisms in order to achieve job place satisfaction. 

The 56th annual general meeting of the Ghana employers association had two main agenda. 

The first was to render account to stakeholders and also to elect a new council executives for the association. 

The Managing Director of mechanical Lloyd Company was elected as president of the association. 

Alex Boampong however, managed to cling to his position as chief executive of the association. 

In his 2015 report to stakeholders, Mr. Boampong said Labour related issues affected productivity last year and continue to impact on the economy in a negative way. 

He said the TUC must make it a priority to meet government halfway in addressing these issues.

One issue that affected Labour and it's consequence on employment last year was the energy challenge. 

Private sector members of the association present at the meeting blamed most of the labour agitations on energy. 

They say it accounted for most of the labour layoff last year and the early part of 2016. 

In a response, employment and Labour relations Minister, Haruna Iddrisu acknowledged the challenge but said the power issue has been solved 

Nana Akufo Addo and Dr. Paa Kwasi Nduom were given the opportunity to outlined their campaign policies on Labour, the economy and employment. 

The Ghana employers association's financial statement for the year under review 2015 stood at 1,734,379.

Religious institutions have not been left out of the campaign to preach peach before, during and after the December polls. The church of Pentecost have joined the train to encourage its members to be agents of peace in this year's polls. 

Waxing biblical and dwelling on quotations from the New Testament, chairman of the church of Pentecost, Apostle Prof Opoku Onyinah said power resides in the people and it is their decision to choose who leads them. 

“This politicians must acknowledge and allow the people to make their choices in a free and transparent manner devoid of monetary influence.” 

He charged the church the lead the campaign of peaceful election ahead of December. 

Brigadier general Akpasu of the Kofi Annan international peace keeping training centre in a video presentation explain how election related violence has marred democracy in other African countries. 

Representatives of the NDC and NPP pledged their party's commitment to preach peach during their campaigns and encouraged their followers to do same.

GBC