According to Edward Briku Buadu, Chairman of the NLC, the ignorance of most trade union officers in various organisations about the Labour Act makes it difficult for workers to pursue their rights.
A significant number of union officers, he said were not abreast of the Labour Act and so do not know their rights and responsibilities.
MrBuadu expressed the concern when he addressed second national delegates conference for the National Union of Teamsters and General Workers at Tema (NUTEG).
“Many times, workers are unable to challenge employers when their rights are infringed upon, simply because they don’t know their rights, and the local union leaders who are supposed to help them are also ignorant,” he stressed.
MrBuadu, who was the guest of honour, spoke on the theme, “Deepening social dialogue at the workplace through the empowerment of Local Union Officers,” and charged the leaders of various unions to improve their knowledge of labour issues to enable them to educate their members.
He observed that currently, trade unionism has moved from antagonism to social dialogue where workers and management engage each other effectively for the common good of the organisation, but noted that this could effectively be done if workers build their knowledge.
“Formerly, workers could not question management, but now they do because those who have knowledge on labour issues know that workers and management are equal partners in business,” he said.
He described unionisation as a social dialogue including negotiation, consultation and exchange of information from representatives of government, workers and employers concerning economic and social roles.
The Chairman for the NUTEG, Mr Samuel Tetteh assured workers that the Union is poised to continuously work in the interest of workers and play its roles as expected.
By: Nii Adotey/adrdaily.com
