Entrench Occupational Health and Safety in Collective Bargaining Agreements, Urges Ayawine.

Accra: To ensure quality Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) for workers, union leaders have suggested the incorporation of occupational health and safety measures in all local unions' proposals to prioritize workplace safety for the collective good of all.According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Morgan Ayawine, the General Secretary of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), emphasized the necessity of integrating occupational health and safety into union proposals. He stated that proposals should not only focus on salaries and allowances but must also include safety measures to facilitate acceptance and action.Mr. Ayawine expressed his intention to make it a policy that proposals lacking occupational health and safety elements would not receive the necessary action. He urged other union leaders to adopt a similar stance, stressing the importance of taking practical steps to institutionalize these measures for strong CBAs.The remarks were made at the opening of a two-day workshop in Accra on 'Occupational Health and Safety,' organized by UNI Africa in collaboration with the ICU, Communication Workers Union (CWU), and TUC Security Union. The workshop focused on supporting unions in collective bargaining, especially for remote workers, while promoting their rights to better working conditions.Participants were educated on various workplace risks, including biological, sexual harassment, environmental, and more. Mr. Ayawine highlighted the importance of incorporating risk prevention into organizational documents to ensure safety for both employers and employees.Mr. Franklin Owusu Ansah, General Secretary of the Health Services Workers Union, discussed 'Mental Health at the Workplace' and the impact of toxic work environments. He shared statistics indicating that 10 to 13 percent of Ghana's population suffers from mental health issues, with 2.4 million Ghanaians affected.Mr. John A. Hayfrom, ICU Director of Education, addressed 'Sexual Harassment at the Workpla ce,' advocating for company policies that protect victims and witnesses of harassment. He stressed the need for collective agreements to include clauses on reporting procedures and penalties for perpetrators.Mr. Joseph Yao Hotor, General Secretary of the CWU, advised union members to prioritize health and safety while adhering to professional rules. He cautioned against defending inappropriate actions solely based on membership, advocating for professionalism and fair hearings.