The Ghana Trade Union Congress (TUC), the umbrella body for all labour unions in Ghana, has described the decision by President Akufo-Addo administration to lift the COVID-19 restriction of movement in Greater Accra, Kasoa and Greater Kumasi as an excellent and right move that will safeguard the economy and jobs in the country.
The TUC made this position known through its Secretary-General, Dr Yaw Baah when he addressed the President of the Republic at the Jubilee House at his invitation to know at first-hand what the President can do to support the congress and its members.
“We have followed the developments in the country since the first two confirmed cases were announced and the measures you and your government have taken so far to deal with this major health crisis”, he said.
“The restrictions on movements have yielded some positive results and we are all witnesses to this. Yesterday, you eased some of these restrictions and emphasised that other restrictions must be complied with strictly. We think it is the right thing to do, given the dire economic consequences of prolonged restrictions”, the TUC Secretary-General noted.
Impact of Lockdown
On the impact that the lockdown on labour in the country, Dr Baah said the TUC has initiated an assessment of same and in due course will make the findings public.
“We are in the process of accessing the impact of the health crisis on employment in Ghana, what we are seeing is mind-boggling. Businesses are collapsing in almost all the sectors of the economy, many people have already lost their jobs, many more would have lost their jobs without the easing of some of these restrictions”, Dr Baah noted.
May Day Celebrations
Dr Baah TUC extended an invitation to the President to participate in their virtual May Day celebration on the 1 May 2020.
He indicated that the TUC intends to use the live television programme to send a strong message to the working people of Ghana on the need to protect themselves and their families from the COVID-19 virus.
President Akufo-Addo in his introductory remarks said the support of organized labour in the fight against the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 cannot be overemphasised.
He indicated that government after lifting the lockdown ban will not relax in the tracing, testing and treatment agenda.
He assured the leadership of organized labour that his administration will do everything possible to safeguard jobs and labour concerns in Ghana.
President Akufo-Addo also accepted the invitation of the TUC to join their virtual May Day celebration.
