The Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) Ghana has backed the call made by the National Labour Commission (NLC) to appoint permanent Commissioners to the NLC
This would enable the Commission to adjudicate on labour-related issues brought before it on daily basis, so that justice could be dispensed to aggrieved parties promptly.
“The call by the Executive Secretary for the appointment of permanent commissioners for the NLC is in the right direction and cannot be over-emphasised, especially at this point in time when the world of work has changed.
“This is as a result of the emergence and devastation of COVID-19 pandemic and with its consequential industrial disharmony at some workplaces in particular and the country in general that need swift adjudication by the NLC,” a statement issued yesterday and signed by the General Secretary of ICU-Ghana, Mr Morgan Ayawine stated.
It is recalled that the Executive Secretary of the NLC, Mr Ofosu Asamoah recently advocated the employment of permanent commissioners, explaining that it would expedite early resolution of cases, since these commissioner would sit daily.
He noted that the part-time commissioners sat only once a week, while the NLC received between 80 to 120 cases every month.
The ICU statement said this development “grievously affect the dispensation of justice, continue to create a kind of rancorous relations between social partners at workplaces.
“This negatively affecting production and lowering productivity to the detriment of the national economy,” it said.
The statement said it supported the NLC appeal to the government to absorb the fees and charges of mediators and arbitrators since some complainants were unable to afford it, denying them justice.
It urged the Labour fraternity as well as Ghana Employers Association to contribute their quota to the employment of the NLC to enable them to deliver effectively.
“We support the call by the NLC, for its own office premises which could accommodate all permanent commissioners when appointed,” the statement added.
BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI
