The high incidence of labour unrest in the country has been described as an indictment of Christians.
This is because employers and employees, who are mostly Christians, have failed to adhere to biblical principles that guide the relationship between employers and their employees.
Elder Sarpong Kumankoma, Head of Administration and Human Resource Department of the Church of Pentecost, believes that the failure to adhere to those fundamental biblical principles by managers and workers continue to result in labour conflicts and strike actions.
He said it remains regrettable that although over 70 percent of Ghanaians are Christians, disputes and conflicts continue to conflict the labour environment.
Quoting from the scriptures, he said 1 Timothy 5:18 instructs that “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”
He also cited Colossians 3:22-25 which urges workers to work with “sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.”
These principles, which are also embedded in the country’s Labour Act, should be enough to ensure a peaceful working environment once both the employer and the worker does what is required of them.
As a human institution, Elder Sarpong Kumankuma acknowledged that although disputes are bound to occur in the workplace, the Bible also prescribes dispute resolution mechanisms which true Christian managers and workers have to adhere to.
“The Bible instructs servants to work as if they are working for the Lord for a reward and instructs employers to give workers their due benefits.
“If both employers and employees are Christians, then we should not be experiencing problems at the workplace and strike actions.
“Or is it that most people are Christians on paper?” he asked.
He called for a change in the attitude of both employers and employees to achieve maximum workplace cooperation to enhance productivity.
By: Nii Adotey/adrdaily.com
