Decent work policy document on fisheries sector launched

A policy document aimed at promot­ing decent work in the fisheries sector was yester­day launched in Accra.

The policy dubbed: ‘Trade Union Policy for decent work in the fishing sector of Ghana,’ seeks to promote decent work and eliminate forced labour, modern slavery, and human trafficking in the fisheries sector in Ghana.

It was developed by the Trade Union Congress, Ghana, in col­laboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other stakeholders in the fishing industry.

The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mavis Hawa Koomson, in a speech read on her behalf, by the Director of Research at the ministry, Nii Adjei Brown, said the policy served as “a beacon of hope” amidst the chal­lenges in the sector and provided a comprehensive roadmap towards a future where decent work stan­dards prevail in every corner of the fisheries value chain.

She said the policy prioritised the well-being of fishers by investing in education and training, improv­ing living conditions in fishing communities and extending social protection, while establishing mini­mum wages and reducing unlawful deductions, ensuring greater em­ployment and income security.

By achieving the goals, the min­ister said the policy aspired to not only protect the rights of fishers, but also foster a more sustainable and prosperous fishing industry for Ghana.

“This policy is not merely about protecting the rights of workers; it is about safeguarding the long-term sustainability and prosperity of our fisheries industry. By fostering a culture of responsible stewardship and prioritising worker well-being, we can pave the way for a fishing sector that is not only economi­cally prosperous, but also socially responsible and environmentally sustainable,” she added.

The minister called on all stakeholders, government agencies, civil society organisations, trade unions, employers and workers to collaborate to ensure the realisation and effective implementation of the policy and also expressed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the policy was implemented while securing a brighter and equita­ble future for all workers in the country.

The Global Coordinator, ILO 8.7 Accelerator Lab Programme, Ms Jodelen Mitra, said the policy aligned with the ILO’s 8.7 Acceler­ator programme which promoted employment and rights of work­ers, extend social protection, and advanced social dialogue as well as enable the realisation of sustainable development goal (SDG) 8 and 7 in the fisheries sector.

“The policy is a good practice for regional and global work on fishing worthy of replication and adaptation in other sectors and all other countries,” she added.

The Secretary General of TUC, Ghana, Dr Anthoy Yaw Baah, for his part, said the policy was inspired by the mission and core mandate of trade unions protec­tion and promotion of the rights and interest of workers.

He said the TUC and its mem­ber unions sought to ensure that workers in Ghana work in digni­ty, had employment security and living wage, had access to social security, exercise their rights at work, and participate effectively in decisions that affected their lives.

 BY VIVIAN ARTHUR

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