Organised Labour to Push for Salary Increment and Improve Employer’s Working Conditions Ahead of May Day Celebration

History of May Day in Ghana

Ghanaian workers observed their first May Day in 1960 and Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, was declared the "First Number One Worker" and decorated with a May Day Award by the Trades Union Congress.

The May Day celebration was suspended for a year in 1966 following the first military coup which toppled Dr. Nkrumah's Government in February of that year. The celebration was resumed a year later in 1967.

Considering The state of the economy as a whole, cost of living increases everyday hence salary increment should be a top priority.

In an interview with Alfred Ocansey on 3FM Sunrise Morning Show monitored closely by Frencheducationgh.com, Rebecca Abaidoo Ocran who is the National Executive member of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT)disclosed that the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the various workers’ unions are fighting for salary increment and improved employer’s working conditions.

She said; “There is rising cost of living and serious adjustments well above workers’ incomes, therefore, there is an urgent need for a review of the public sector remuneration system. As organized labour we are coming up fully to push home our demands. We are going to push and push very hard.”

This year’s May Day celebration is under theme: “Protecting Jobs and Income in the COVID-19 Era and beyond. The annual parade is also set to be held at the Independence Square after it was suspended for a while due to COVID. She explained that the impact of COVID 19 on labour is hard hitting and needs a critical attention of stakeholders.”

She anticipates; “We hope the President and the Vice President will be at the parade to listen and read the placards that would be displayed to ascertain for themselves what the workers are saying. We hope government officials at the parade will pay attention to workers and make the appropriate necessary adjustment in the salaries and working conditions of workers.”

In her response to the alarming Graduate Unemployment situation in Ghana, the labour union leader said “It is high time we elevate this discussion to the national level because a time is coming that things would get worse. We are talking about armed robbery and insecurity. You work hard to earn a decent living but because of the social and economic situation we have now, you are even scared to stay in your home.”

Rebecca Abaidoo describes Graduate Unemployment as a sad spectacle. “It’s a national security and economic threat. It is just a sad spectacle. People go to school with the hope to get a job but now it is difficult to encourage people to go to school because they will ask you what difference the school we make if there are no jobs for the graduates.”

By: Michael Djan

French Tutor and Digital Marketing Blogger/Content Writer and GhanaWeb Professional Reporter/ frencheducationgh.com