Today marks another May Day, a day on which we review the state of our workers vis a vis national development. By and large the tendency to consider the condition of workers outweighs their productivity.
Without sufficient productivity improving the state of workers would be impossible yet little is being done to change the attitude of the labour force especially, those in the public sector.
The attitude of many workers in the public sector leaves much to be desired yet there is an incessant demand for increase in remuneration by them.
Unless there is a change in the attitude of workers towards work to the extent that their output would be significant enough to increase productivity, increasing the pay packet would not make economic sense.
While we are supportive of the enhancement of the remuneration of workers so that they can have improved living standards, there should be reciprocity from them too.
A few weeks ago, the Metro Mass Transport Company Board Chairman was appalled when he witnessed workers trickling into work close to 10am. These same workers would close from work at 5pm saying irritatingly that it is time to wind up for the day. They are strict about the time to close yet unserious about reporting to work early. This bad picture represents many work places.
Little wonder it is commonplace to have workers log in their arrival and departure times.
Myriad lessons abound for us from countries which have achieved so much in terms of development, their productivity the envy of countries like ours.
In South Korea as in Singapore, the work culture is something which when replicated here would provide the necessary impetus to move the country forward. Even when we succeed in replicating the aforementioned modules here, the patriotic element too must be instilled in the citizenry otherwise the effort would be short-lived.
When workers understand how increased productivity depends upon their appreciation of their work attitude and how this can in turn result in better pay packets, they would alter their bad work culture.
It is disturbing that workers who do not care a hoot about showing up at work on time and working hard during the period would still pilfer stuff belonging to the state. The recent arrest of school authorities stealing from school kitchens is still fresh in our memories.
With this attitude, it would be near impossible to achieve the level we pray to reach in our march to development. Governments would play their part but unless we go along and contribute towards increasing the GDP we would be stuck where we are.
Today’s event is significant because President Akufo-Addo would be making good his promise of creating Nation Builders Corps as a response to the graduate unemployment scourge bedeviling the country.
For those who would be engaged under the programme, let them consider the larger picture of Ghana’s development in their assignments. As young graduates, they should learn to go to work on time and be productive by avoiding trivialities such as social media engagements.
Happy May Day to our workers but they should change their attitude towards work for the sake of the country.