By: Kobina Baidoo
The Traders Union Congress (TUC)- Ghana has expressed its concern regarding the recent assault of a female worker by manager of a Ghana- based savings and loans company.
The incident occurred in the office of the Savings and Loans company, reportedly situated in Nkawkaw, in the Eastern region of Ghana.
TUC- Ghana in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Dr. Yaw Baah, raised an objection against the acts of the manager in a recently issued press statement, indicating that such acts violate the fundamental principles of respect, dignity, and workplace safety. The statement underscored obligatory adherence of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Convention 190, which seeks to eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work.
The statement while commending efforts of the Ghana Police Service, voiced the need for a thorough investigation into the assault case by the necessary authorities and the administering of justice for the victim.
TUC Gender official and member of the TUC National Women’s council, Bashiratu Kamal in an interview with happyghana.com, indicated that there have been a number of cases reported to the TUC and are under investigation. “Even for this one, if someone was not brave enough to record the incident it would have been swept under carpet by one party begging the other and that is it.” she said.
She confirmed that the manager is scheduled to face a court trail for the unacceptable act. Violence as a major violation of Ghana’s criminal code was listed by her as an ongoing practice in several workplaces in Ghana. “TUC with our 22 affiliate national unions have been working on such issues, we receive reports about such cases; we understand that these things happen in the workplace because we are human beings but under no circumstances should any manager lay a finger or harm employees.”
According to the TUC official, regular forums and symposiums on how to properly avert conflicts and misunderstandings are organized nationwide as part of efforts by TUC-Ghana. “TUC with our 22 affiliates regularly organizes forums and symposiums in regions all across Ghana even tailored to smoothly and effectively sensitize workers about their rights at the workplace and how to properly handle such issues.” she explained.
She cited the International Labor Convention 190 as a key convention that speaks against violence at the workplace, with a broader spectrum which protects the rights of all workers regardless of their gender, designation and even in active service or resignation. The Convention’s reach is one which she suggested must be incorporated into Ghana’s criminal code.