Accra: The Trades Union Congress (TUC), in collaboration with key social partners and stakeholders, has renewed its call on the Government of Ghana to expeditiously ratify the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 190 (C190).
According to Ghana News Agency, the call was the central theme of a National Dialogue on the ratification of C190, where stakeholders, including the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ghana Employers' Association (GEA), and the ILO reaffirmed that the mission for decent work in Ghana remains incomplete without its adoption. Participants noted that Ghana is one of the countries targeted by an ILO-backed project, funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifically to promote the ratification of C190.
Mr. Joshua Ansah, Secretary-General of the TUC, via a virtual platform, underscored the necessity of the Convention. He said legislative challenges occasioned by the transitional periods aftermath of the 2024 general elections had stalled efforts to ensure the ratification of the convention. 'There is no doubt that violence and harassment in the world of work robs people of their dignity. By ratifying Convention 190, Ghana will take a major step towards ensuring that every workplace is safe, inclusive and respectful. Dignity at work is not a privilege, it is a right,' he said. He highlighted the Union's relentless advocacy since the Convention's adoption in 2019, stressing that C190 represents a historic opportunity to shape the future of work based on respect for all.
Mr. Hamidu Adakrugu, Chief Director of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, in a speech read on his behalf, affirmed the government's commitment to upholding international labour standards. He described C190 as a crucial, non-binding international instrument that recognized the universal right of every person to a world of work free from violence, abuse, or intimidation. 'Violence and harassment at workplaces, whether physical, psychological, or sexual, undermine productivity creating barriers to equality, especially for women,' he said. He noted that the Ministry has already undertaken activities to hasten the ratification process and is looking forward to charting a collective path toward its effective implementation.
Mr. Eugene Abraham, who represented Ghana Employers' Association (GEA), cited research indicating that a significant percentage of people in the world of work experience at least one form of violence or harassment. This challenge, he noted, made a compelling case for the ratification of the convention ensuring a profound commitment to safeguarding productivity and the labour market. He said the association had taken strategic steps, including developing an Employers' Guide and running regional awareness-raising programmes, to align its members with the Convention's provisions.
The dialogue concluded with a shared resolution to strengthen collaboration between government, social partners, and civil society, ensuring that the final outcome of the meeting moves Ghana one step closer to achieving the bottom line of being more balanced and harassment-free in the world of work. The successful ratification of C190 is expected to enhance decent work opportunities, improve worker welfare, and foster greater social justice across all sectors of the Ghanaian economy.
