Workshop on Labour Law Held in Ho.... April 8

Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho

The Deputy Chairman of the National Labour Commission, Mr Kwasi Danso-Acheampong has said assault of opponents during a legal strike action is not part of the labour law.
He said that the de-criminalisation of the labour law does not permit extreme criminal behaviour and that the commission will not countenance any aspect which undermined respect for social partners in the resolution of labour issues.
Mr Danso-Acheampong said this when he addressed 80 participants drawn from organized labour organizations in the country at a workshop on the theme, “ The new role of the Trade Union and labour negotiator in Collective Bargaining Negotiation Under Act 651” at Ho.
He said the labour department has no jurisdiction in settling labour issues adding that their role had been repealed with the enactment of the Labour Act 651.
He said if the labour law failed workers would be the losers because it would be relatively cumbersome and expensive for them to pass through the normal court system to seek redress to grievances on labour issues.
Mr Danso-Acheampong said the principles of rule of law underpinned the labour law and that it was worthwhile for the commission to throw out challenges to all stakeholders to share practices in areas of apprehension and difficulties.
The executive secretary of NLC, Mr Edward Briku said industrial relation officers should appreciate the demands of the law and negotiate appropriately in the interest of workers.
For his part a consultant to the NLC, Mr S.R Asiedu asked participants to concentrate on tuition at the workshop since it will enrich them to write well tested collective agreements for the development and sustained peaceful labour market.
Topics treated at the workshop were “Engagement and Disengagement of Staff”, “ Unfair Labour Practices”, “The formation of trade unions”. “ The collective bargaining process”, “Negotiating and Writing the Collective Agreement”, and “ Settlement of Industrial Disputes”.