In spite of the financial challenges facing manufacturing firms due to the economic effect of COVID-19, Golden Exotics Limited, a leading Ghanaian producer and exporter of fruit products, has increased the salary of its workers.
Consequently, the management and workers’ union have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the salary adjustments after successful negotiations for the increase which takes effect from January 2020.
The MOU, reached by the management and both senior and junior staff at their 2020 negotiations, seeks to promote a sustained industrial peace for enhanced productivity in the Free Zone banana and pineapple producing company, which has over 3,000 workers operating in its factories and 8,600-hectare plantation near Asutuare in the Greater Accra Region. Other allowances such as rent and bicycle allowance have been increased for the workers.
Last December, the company was engulfed in worker agitations for enhanced conditions of service.
Among other objectives, the signing of the MOU is to help the parties to promote the operations of the company, the welfare of members, as well as avoid industrial strife.
The Principal Industrial Relations Officer of Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) Odelia Dogbe, speaking about the negotiation process, told ADR Daily that the parties displayed immense maturity displayed at the table resulting in the successful conclusion.
“The parties took time to understand each side’s interests,” she said, adding that the negotiation was devoid of emotions and power plays.
For his part, Mr. Mark Achel, the Human Resource Manager, was appreciative of the cooperation and commitment of the union during the negotiation, expressing management’s commitment to be supportive of workers welfare especially in the present COVID-19 period when other companies have cut remunerations.
George Kporye, Corporate Affairs and Administrative Manager also lauded the national and local executives of the ICU for their of leadership contributions during the negotiation.
He assured the workers that the management would continue to maintain a cordial working relationship with the union so as to strengthen their Labour-Management Cooperation (LMC).
Mr Kporye announced that the management has initiated a comprehensive plan for a leadership training on LMC to foster the establishment and maintenance of constructive joint processes to improve labour-management relationship, quality productivity, conflict resolution and organizational effectiveness.
The Local Chairman (PMSU) Mr. Felix Dzekleh supported his national executives to appreciate management move to ensure that the health and safety of workers was not disregarded. He applauded the leadership of the company for new safety interventions at the farm site, and iterated the union’s commitment to support management in building a solid relationship based on trust and mutual respect.
Both the management union and commended the Labour Consultant, Austin Gamey for the effective facilitation of the negotiation process.
By ADR Daily Newsdesk
