Trade unions in ghana pdf

Ghanas social dialogue system thrives on tripartite basis. Collective agreements in ghana collective bargaining. What role have trade unions and workers played in ghana s move toward political liberalization and democratization, in the past and in the recent199093 democratic transition. This article seeks to be an analysis and not a detailed exposition of the history of ghanaian trade unionism in the two decades prior to the. Pdf trade union movements and the nationalist struggles.

Participation in all online courses is free of cost to ensure that everyone can participate. They also underscore trade unions pivotal role in the search for alternative development strategies. The gufs have as members national unions, which represent workers from a specific sector, industry or occupation. Mainly, the challenges discussed here are related to. Would you like to get the full thesis from shodh ganga along with citation details. It is made up of eighteen affiliated national unions. Trade unions and the informal sector, organised by the bureau for workers activity actrav of the ilo in geneva, october 1822, 1999. The industrial and commercial workers union icu is a general union, the largest union in ghana. Constitutions of trade union or employers organisation. Solidarity support to african trade unions, particularly of a financial and logistical kind, should thus be fashioned in a manner that helps unions move toward independence and selfreliance. In fact, union membership in ghana declined from 630,843 in 1985 to 572,598 in 1998 anyemedu, 2000. The findings of the study suggested, firstly, that teacher unions play different roles in different political contexts, and that these roles are shaped by contextual factors. Associations of workers for mutual prot ection had exist ed in the gold.

The trades union congress tuc of ghana is the main umbrella organization for trade union activities in ghana. The first part of the manual discusses this history not in a great detail but all the relevant historical events and processes have been adequately covered. After the return to democratic rule in ghana in 1992, conditions for trade unions improved. Role and impact of social dialogue in development policies in ghana 34 conclusions and recommendations 37 references 38 this publication has been produced thanks to the contributions of the trade union development cooperation network ituctudcn and the support of the csos partnership for development effectiveness cpde. Despite broad recognition of this fact, there remains some doubt, within the trade union movement, as to the most appropriate measures to be implemented. An analysis of industrial relations practice in nigeria and. The first industrial action in ghana at the time still the british colony gold coast was a strike by the countrys miners in 1919. Furthermore, the charges of corruption against union leaders and splits in the main trade union trade unions congress weakened the support base of unions sandbrook and oelbaum, 1997. Institute of ghana trade union congress ghana tuc for coordination of the activities that directed the whole research process and publication of the book. The trades union congress of ghana tuc is the national trade union center of ghana. The trade union and state relationship according to fashoyin 1992 is not peculiar to ghana, it is a continentwide event described as political unionism where trade unions in africa were expected to play production roles, by stimulating productivity and at the same time moderating wage demands in the national interests.

The participation and influence of teacher unions on. Other teacher unions include the professional educators union peu and the natal african teachers union natu. In accordance with the labour act, every worker should receive equal pay for work of equal value without any discrimination. A trade union which wants to obtain a collective bargaining certificate is required to make an application to the chief labour officer for a certificate appointing that trade union as the representative to conduct negotiations on behalf of the class of workers specified in the collective bargaining certificate with the employers of the workers. Eu trade flows and balance, annual data 2009 2019 source eurostat comext statistical regime 4. In particular, we have highlighted the role unions and their leaders played in the struggle for. The constitution of ghana recognizes the right to fair remuneration and equal pay for work of equal value. Participants from nonoecd countries and trade unionists. It affiliated to the ghana trades union congress tuc. The labour administration, as well as employers and workers organizations in ghana often do not have sufficient capacity and resources. Thus, it has been generally assumed that the rise of ghanaian trade unionism is primarily a postworld war ii phenomenon because the trades union congress was inaugurated in 1945. Trachtman, following the trade union ordinance of 1941 trade unions in ghana became officially accepted and was only interested to see them concerned with economic matters and nationalistic politics.

Participatory democracy beyond the formal the ghanaian constitution underscores the freedom of citizens to mobilize, partake in demonstrations and to form or join any association e. These are autonomous bodies which pursue their own activities but within the framework of their constitutions and their areas of legally accepted jurisdiction. Danish trade union development agency ghana labour market profile 2020 page iii the two tables below provide an overview of the tendencies evident on the labour market. Since 1958 collective bargaining with licensed trade unions has. Trade union services and benefits in africa edited by. In ghana today the structure of trade unionism and industrial relations is changing rapidly. Nigeria where there are far more unions than that of ghana. Labor relations in the gold coast ghana, or aspects thereof, such as collective bargaining, free trade unions, and arbitration, cannot be discussed. Analysis of gender impacts of the ghana voluntary partnership. The tuc had its headquarters in sekondi in the western region ibid, 2007. The trades union congress tuc of ghana was formally inaugurated in 1945 when the existing 14 unions registered under the trades union ordinance of 1941 came together under a central coordinating body. Trade union organisation in africa is weak at the national, regional and continental levels and is primarily limited to the formal sector, which means that only the interests of a minority of.

Ghana sample collective bargaining agreement for ghana. The trade union movement in ghana has a very rich history. Of ghana entitled labour act, 2003 an act to amend and consolidate the laws relating to labour, employers, trade unions and industrial relations. Challenges facing trade unions in the modern society are also discussed in this section. Firestone agricultural workers union of liberia fawul.

All about trade unions in ghana, trade unions and workers and labour laws in ghana, trade unions and wages and more on mywage ghana what is a trade union. The union, a duly registered trade union and authorized to negotiate on behalf of all permanent employees of the who are members of the union, of the other part. Gtuc ghana trades union congress icftu international confederation of free trade unions icftuafro international confederation of free trade unions africa. Trade unions in ghana wikimili, the free encyclopedia. Both sadtu and naptosa combined trade union are predominantly black teacher unions with a membership of about 75% black teachers each heystek and lethoko, 2001. A major aspect of ghanas social dialogue is reaching consensus on collective bargaining. The new industrial relations in ghana sage journals.

The board advises the minister of labour on labour legislation and employment matters, oversees the labour inspectorates, implementation of. Last, i examine trade union behavior in ghana since democratic rule in january 1993 to discern 1 whether the unions have supported democratic political processes and institutions, and 2. European commission directorategeneral for trade 08052020 3 units a4 g2 european union, trade with ghana total goods. Challenges facing trade unions in the modern society the. While unions have been slow to respond to the needs of informal workers. The challenge of globalization, labor market restructuring. Several reports of ghana s vpa process illustrate the enthusiasm and interest that civil society organisations csos and other nonstate actors such as landowners, trade unions, student groups, women groups, people with disability and a whole range. Ghana has a long history of trade and this makes for welldeveloped and culturally embedded.

It describes country case studies from zambia, ghana, zimbabwe, nigeria, namibia, and south africa. Doawtu democratic organization of african workers trade unions gtuc ghana trades union congress icftu international confederation of free trade unions icftuafro international confederation of free trade unions africa. Trade unions, democratization, and economic crises in ghana. Union abbreviation membership 2001 communications workers union. The trade unions in ghana have attracted numerous students but thus far there are few major works. The failure of the institutionalization process in act 203 to strengthen the inspectorate division of the chief labour officers office. Right to strike is recognized by constitution however this right is strictly regulated.

In the prsp approach, trade unions are among the stakeholders identified for consultation. Gender responsive public services and macroenconomic policy in ghana. Whether temporary or permanent, primarily for the purpose of regulating the relations between workers and employers or between workers for imposing restrictive conditions on the conduct of any trade or business and includes the federations of two or more trade unions. A word of thanks is extended to the international trade union confederation ituc africa, especially the general secretary. In ghana in mid2001 a national committee comprising of government, the tuc, the. A trade union is an association of workers formed with the object of improving the conditions of workers.

According to the labour union act, strike means to go slow and a sit down by a body of persons employed and acting in combination or a concerted refusal or a refusal under a common understanding, of any number of persons employed to continue to work for an employer in consequence of a. Ghana afrobarometer survey 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2012. Industrial and commercial workers union ghana wikipedia. Pdf what role have trade unions and workers played in ghanas move toward political liberalization and democratization, in the past and in the. Hendriks abstract this paper focuses on informal workers in makola market, accra ghana, and the ways in which they organize for collective action. Pdf trade union movements and the nationalist struggles in. Several reports of ghana s vpa process illustrate the enthusiasm and interest that civil society organisations csos and other nonstate actors such as landowners, trade unions, student groups, women groups, people with disability and a whole range of actors, exhibited during the initial stages. Pdf what role have trade unions and workers played in ghana s move toward political liberalization and democratization, in the past and in the. This booklet examines the legal, economic, and political environment in which trade unions operate in africa and attempts to identify the key challenges facing them.

Trade union organisation in africa is weak at the national, regional and continental levels and is primarily limited to the formal sector, which means that only the interests of a minority of the working population are represented. The meeting was attended by 31 trade unionists from africa, asiapacific, europe, latin america and north america. Upon completion of an online exam, participants can get a certificate of accomplishment awarded by one of the glu partner universities for 49. Registration of trade unions and employers organisations. An analysis of industrial relations practice in nigeria. In august 2011 for example, before the presidential. Objectives, function, formation, regulation, rights and liabilities. Adewumi 1998 stated that the trade union congress in ghana was founded in 1945. It was founded in 1945 as the gold coast trades union congress, and was the central organizing body of 14 unions registered under the trades union ordinance of 1941. The first table is based on key indicators that are collected by dtda in collaboration with ghana trade union congress in ghana tuc ghana. Trade unions and collective action have historically played a critical role redressing this last type of insecurity and with it many if not all of the others. Studies on trade unions, especially those of the political economy approach, reiterate the importance of trade unions in arresting the excesses of globalization, such as the threat to the environment and increasing global poverty. In 1941, the trade union ordinance of 1941 was enacted, legalizing the formation of trade unions in the colony. Iii the role of trade unions in poverty alleviation in ghana.

The union was founded in 1960, when the commercial and allied workers union merged with four smaller unions, to form the industrial, commercial, and general national workers union. It goes without saying that the informal sector presents sev eral challenges to the movement. Trachtman, following the trade union ordinance of 1941 trade unions in ghana became officially accepted and was only interested to see them concerned. Under the labour act 651, a trade union means any association of workers, the principal purposes of which are to promote and protect their economic and social interests. Legal status of trade unions and employers organisations, and protection of officers and members from legal process. Ghana national association of teachers gnat ghana registered nurses association grna national association of graduate teachers nagrat polytechnic teachers association of ghana potag ghana medical association gma civil and local government staff association of ghana closag judicial services staff association of ghana jussag the tuc remains the largest trade union federation and the mouth piece of organised labour in ghana. Efforts that promote trade union unity, especially at national level, can. The thi rd s ect ion rev iew s so me aspects of the economic reforms.

What role have trade unions and workers played in ghanas move toward political. General secretary of the industrial and commercial workers union. Pdf trade unions, democratization, and economic crises in ghana. Have unions been important, either through their beliefs and protest behavior or as a consequence of their structural position in civil society. History of the trade union movement in ghana 18 2 legal framework and practice of labour relations 21 2. The uncsw provides a unique opportunity for coalitionbuilding with other trade unions and progressive organizations, and for influencing global policies on gender equality. Although the 1965 industrial relations act requires tuc affiliation for the registration of a union, workers association formally not unions in the public sector were formed. Pdf trade unions, democratization, and economic crises. This trade union guide provides guidance and tools to make the most out of your uncsw65 participation and assists you with navigating through the programme and other activities check chapter 3. Trade unions in ghana, trade unions and workers and labour. At the time of its formation, the tuc had a total of 14 unions with a numerical strength of 6030. Scope of agreement this agreement shall apply to only employees who shall fall within the definition of employee in this agreement.