Trade unions in Ghana

Trade unions in Ghana have a total of about 350 000 members, with about 9 million workers. There are two trade union confederations in Ghana, the Trades Union Congress of Ghana and the Ghana Federation of Labour.

British colonial

The first documented labor dispute in Ghana - at the time still a British colony Gold Coast - took place in 1919: a successful strike of the miners in the country, which triggered a series of successful collective action by workers. Even permanent unions emerged. Associations such as the Gold and Silversmith 's Association, the Colony and Ashanti Motor Union and the Carpenters and Masons Union were all founded in the 1920s. The colonial government responded by declaring strikes illegal.

1941 joined the decree on the unions of 1941 in force, were legalized by the unions in the colonies. The British government encouraged the formation of trade union federations in the hope of being able to avoid labor disputes, as they had accompanied the Industrial Revolution in Europe and North America. Finally, on 8 September 1945, the Trades Union Congress of Ghana ( TUC), with an initial membership of 6030 persons and fourteen affiliated members in the offices of the African Railway Employees Union in Sekondi. It was total by an appendage of the " ruling " ( under the colonial conditions ) party, the Convention People's Party (CPP ). The fight for better working conditions was soon accompanied by the demand for independence of the country. Once known as the Big Six leaders of the pre -independence phase had been thrown into prison in 1948, the TUC called off a nationwide strike which led to the release of the politicians, but at the same time weakened the unions.

1954 tried to organize themselves along the operational units, ie the principle of "one operation - a union " of the TUC enforce to make public (as opposed to the organization along professional groups ) and this change. The change was opposed by the union of the United Africa Company.

First Republic

As Ghana in 1957 and independently from the Gold Coast Trades Union Congress of the Trades Union Congress of Ghana, there were different groups of workers in all regions of the country. Many were much more militant than the TUC and violent strikes and demonstrations were common. Employers responded by founding "Yellow ( employer- friendly ) unions ". In 1958, the Ghanaian government enacted the law on industrial relations, to strengthen the TUC. The TUC had for the first time - and the only trade union organization - obtained a legal recognition and was supplied with buildings for its centers. Above all, however, mandatory collective bargaining between the employer and the employees. The law on industrial relations from 1965, which replaced that of 1958 also forced any organization that wanted to be registered as a trade union to do it from the TUC - a provision that many consider to be incompatible with Convention No. 48 of the International looked Labour Organization, which includes the freedom to form associations to protect the right to organization. In 1960, a law that union membership for employees made ​​mandatory in public service. At this time the relations between the TUC and the ruling party CPP were so tight that it sometimes came at the expense of the autonomy of trade union federation, which also caused resentment among the workers.

NLC, Second Republic and NRC

1966 was a military coup successfully against the CPP government, which was welcomed by some workers who were dissatisfied with the loyalty of the TUC against the government. When the new government abolished the obligation to TUC membership for employees in the public sector, this has led to a decline in membership from 700,000 to 300,000 people. The years 1966-1969 saw some wild strikes. The relations between the TUC and the National Liberation Council government were strained. 1967 recommended a government-appointed commission a wage increase, which was then also carried out by the government.

1969 became Kofi Busia Abrefa the power and replaced the military government. He expressed his support for a " free and independent labor movement " and promised the TUC his help. After a period of significant inflation, the TUC, the Busia government called for the increase of salaries. Although a commission was set up on this issue, the government did not come to this demand. Instead, she got a new tax that bedeviled all employees. TUC and workers were angry and fierce criticism by the union meant that the government, the law on industrial relations amended: The Act of 1971, the TUC was dissolved and its assets frozen. The dissolution of the Federation of Trade Unions, however, was not of long duration: after a coup by Ignatius Kutu Acheampong recanted the " National Redemption Council ", the new military government, the law of 1971 and presented in 1972 the TUC restores.

PNDC and democratic government

1981 came the " Provisional National Defence Council ( PNDC ) " by another coup to power. The PNDC sought to work with the TUC, but never reached its full support. 1982 called the PNDC a "People's / Workers' Defence Committee" ( PWDC ) parallel to the existing union structures to life, to break the power of the union. In the same year attacked some workers, the Association of Labour Unions ( ALU) called themselves and were supported by the government, the TUC headquarters and set " Transitional Management Committee " as a guide for both the TUC and for organized into him unions to democratize them. From then on there was hardly any relationship between the TUC and the government.

The return to democracy in Ghana in 1992 improved the conditions for trade union work. Although the law on industrial relations from 1965 TUC membership called for registration as a trade union, formed in the public sector "workers' associations ", which represented no formal trade unions. You have some bargaining power with the government, but may not call for strikes. 1985 formed the TUC and some workers' associations from the public sector, the National Consultative Forum of Ghana Labour ( NFGL ). The forum is negotiating for its members, but also represents a means of communication for its member organizations

In 1999, the Ghana Federation of Labour ( GFL ) established as an umbrella organization for various independent trade unions and in 2003 a tripartite founded "National Employment Commission " which will help you to resolve discrepancies. It also has the possibility unions that wish to conclude collective agreements "negotiated certificates " issue.

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