Minister inaugurates National Labour Commissioners

Mr Nii Armah Ashietey, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, on Tuesday inaugurated a six-member National Labour Commission in Accra.

The Commission is to oversee the settlement of industrial disputes and the promotion of peaceful industrial relations environments in the country for four years.

Mr. Ashietey said the NLC was established under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) as an independent arbiter in industrial dispute settlement and as a stop-gap institution to industrial dispute settlement.

He said currently, the industrial relations environment is witnessing a lot of turbulence, especially agitations by public service workers and that the situation is worrying, considering the effect on productivity.

Mr. Ashietey urged members of the Commission to develop and chart effective ways to assist social partners in the employment relationship and come out with efficient and progressive ways, devoid of antagonism in addressing their industrial differences.

He urged the Commission to be fair and transparent but firm in ensuring that there is industrial peace and harmony between stakeholders in the sector.

Mr. Ashietey assured the Commission of government’s support to ensure that they carry out their mandate effectively to make the country a peaceful industrial relations environment for investment and tourism to promote development and growth.

Mr. Edward Briku Buadu, Chairman of the Commission, thanked President Mahama for the appointment and assured that they will start work immediately.

Mr. Buadu said the success of the Commission can be judged by the co-operation they will receive from the parties in whose cases they have to make interventions.

He asked that parties to collective agreements respect what they had negotiated for and recommended that parties dialogue to find workable and acceptable solutions.

Mr. Buadu appealed to government to support the commission with the needed logistics to facilitate its work.

Source: GNA