Labour relations institutions raise concern about lack of infrastructure

Some labour relations institu­tions nationwide have raised concerns regarding the lack of adequate infrastructure, insufficient personnel, and limited financial re­sources, which persistently obstruct their efficient functioning at the national, regional, and district levels.

They also lamented persistent technological challenges, inadequate capacity building opportunities for staff, and low public awareness of their functions, which affect their ability to deliver services efficiently.

The concerns were raised during a working visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions to labour-related institutions in Accra on Wednesday.

The visit formed part of the Committee’s mandate to engage with institutions under its oversight and liaise with appropriate parlia­mentary stakeholders to ensure smooth and effective operations.

As part of the tour, the Com­mittee visited the Department of Cooperatives, Labour Department, Department of Factories Inspec­torate, Ministry of Labour, Job and Employment, and the National Labour Commission.

At the Department of Coopera­tives, the Acting Director, Kwabe­na Apraku Yeboah, disclosed that the department currently has only 263 staff nationwide instead of the required 854. In the Oti Region, he said, only two officers are responsi­ble for the entire region — a situa­tion he described as overwhelming and unsustainable.

He further appealed for a con­sidered review of the department’s registration and annual renewal fees, currently pegged at GH¢50 and GH¢25 respectively, noting that these charges are insufficient to support field operations, with the cost of outreach and moni­toring visits often exceeding the revenue generated.

At the Department of Factories Inspectorate, the Committee called for collaborative inspections and fire safety awareness campaigns, particularly in markets, following a series of fire outbreaks reported across the country.

Moreover, it noted that many traders lack basic fire safety knowl­edge, including the correct use of electrical sockets and wiring in commercial spaces, emphasising that the department has the tools and expertise to lead this initiative, and that intensified public educa­tion could significantly reduce fire risks.

Chairman of the Committee, Joseph Appiah Boateng, described the situation as alarming and a potential national security threat.

“We keep crying about unem­ployment, yet we are starving the very institutions that are supposed to help reduce it. They don’t have the logistics, they don’t have the staff, and in some cases, they don’t even have proper offices. How do we expect them to function?” he queried.

He warned that frustration and neglect of these institutions could lead to greater instability. “It’s dangerous. If these agencies remain neglected, frustrated staff may resort to unethical behaviour or align with bad groups. Ghana will be sitting on a time bomb,” he cautioned.

Mr Appiah Boateng also pointed to the dire situation at the Labour Commission, where critical operations are being handled by an aging workforce with limited resources.

He indicated that the Commit­tee will hold a separate meeting to further deliberate on the issues raised and present its findings to Parliament.

The Head of the Child Labour Unit at the Labour Department, Esther Ofori Agyeman, on her part called for intensified efforts to tackle child labour in Ghana.

Citing a 2014 statistics showing 21.8 per cent of children aged 5–17 engaged in child labour, she stressed that the issue remains pressing, especially in informal sectors like farming, fishing, and mining.

She urged development part­ners and the media to use their platforms to spread the message and help the public understand the issue better.

The Committee encouraged increased public education to help citizens better understand the roles and services of these institutions and seek assistance when needed.

 BY STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG

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