From left: Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo with Morgan Ayawine and Alhaji Nuru-Deen Alhassan, ICU National Chairman
Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, has called on stakeholders, particularly workers’ unions to engage actively in social dialogue and collaboration in addressing labour related challenges.
Speaking at the opening session of the Industrial And Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU), Ghana 12th Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference, at the University Of Professional Studies, Accra, yesterday, Dr. Pelpuo said by prioritising open communication, mutual respect, and trust, stakeholders can unlock the full potential of the various workforce and drive productivity, innovation, and growth.
“I am optimistic about the future of our workplaces. With continued social partnership, I believe that we can create a thriving work environment that is conducive to employee well-being, creativity, and productivity,” he said.
The sector minister noted that the role of social partners is important as through collaborating and sharing knowledge, stakeholders can build a more resilient and sustainable economy that benefits all Ghanaians.
ICU Commendation
He further commended ICU-Ghana for its unwavering dedication to promoting the welfare of workers and contributing significantly to nation building.
“With rich legacy spanning decades, ICU has consistently demonstrated its commitment to advancing the interests of its members. Your range of services do not only underscore your strategic importance within Ghana’s economy but also highlight your pivotal role in fostering a more equitable and prosperous society,” he added.
He, thus, called for the ICU to work closely with his ministry to create an enabling environment that fosters innovation, creativity, and efficiency.
“To create a collaborative and supportive work environment, the role of employers is key in fostering employee motivation and productivity…This requires fostering a culture of togetherness and teamwork at the workplace for increased collaboration and productivity. Social dialogue is a crucial aspect of building a positive and productive work environment. By prioritizing social dialogue, we can create a more collaborative and successful workplace,” he added.
ICU- Ghana General Secretary, Brother Morgan Ayawine, in his speech said true productivity does not only come from capital injection or rigid oversight, “It arises when workers are empowered, mentally, physically, and emotionally. We must invest in their growth, ensure fair and transparent promotion systems, and cultivate a sense of creating opportunities at all levels in fulfilment of Government’s reset agenda.”
He said ICU has blazed the trail by motivating its own staff for increased productivity through massive promotions and restructuring of salaries among other incentives which are worthy of emulation.
“We are actively pursuing similar interventions in the Cocoa and Textile sectors among others and hopefully these interventions would be successful,” he said.
Mr. Morgan further called on the government to revive distressed State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), including PBC PLC, Cocoa Processing Company, Neoplan Ghana Limited, ALUWORKS, Volta Star Textiles Ltd, Akosombo Industrial Company Ltd, New Times Corporation, Graphic Communications Group Ltd, and Pwalugu Tomato Factory, to drastically reduce youth unemployment..
A Daily Guide Report