Geneva: The Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) has affirmed its commitment to collaborate with the Government and employers to advance maternity protection in Ghana. "Maternity protection is not just about individual rights, it is about social justice, gender equality, and national socio-economic development," Mr. Joshua Ansah, the Secretary-General of Ghana TUC, stated at the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland. He emphasized that protecting women during pregnancy and childbirth strengthens families, improves child health outcomes, and enhances workforce participation.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ansah underscored that maternity protection is an investment in future generations and resilient economies and societies. He stated, 'We believe that no woman should have to choose between motherhood and employment. And no society should accept that childbirth leads to job loss or poverty.' He noted that protecting pregnant women at work is tantamount to protecting the future of societies.
Ghana currently provides 12 weeks of maternity leave, which can be used before or after childbirth. However, Mr. Ansah highlighted that flexibility, though important, often results in inadequate recovery time for mothers post-delivery. Women might choose or be encouraged to use more of their leave before delivery, leaving insufficient rest and bonding time after childbirth.
Mr. Ansah pointed out that while maternity leave extension is available upon the production of a medical certificate, the law does not expressly provide for automatic extension in cases of late childbirth. This situation leaves affected workers uncertain about their entitlements. "We strongly recommend, in line with current standards, that the revised law establishes a minimum of six weeks of compulsory postnatal leave," he said, viewing this as a safeguard for maternal health and a means to eliminate legal ambiguity and enhance enforcement.
He further addressed the critical issue of cash benefits during maternity leave. Currently, Ghana relies on two main arrangements: healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and the payment of wages during leave, including maternity leave, by the employer. Mr. Ansah suggested exploring additional income protection options, especially for mothers seeking extended leave and vulnerable workers who might not receive income during maternity leave.
On protection against dismissal, Mr. Ansah noted that the current Labour Act rightly states that a woman shall not be dismissed due to maternity leave. However, there are concerns about enforcement in practice, as cases of dismissal or discrimination on grounds of pregnancy might go unreported due to fear of retaliation or inaccessible complaint systems. Some violations also escape labor inspections and remain undocumented.
The TUC is proposing that legal protections be strengthened through clearer legal language defining discriminatory practices and establishing effective enforcement mechanisms. This includes improved labor inspections, grievance redress systems, and data collection tools to capture violations more effectively. Ghana's delegation to the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) was led by Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, the Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment.
