‘There’s need to always review the Labour Act’ – GAWU

The General Agricultural Wokers Union (GAWU) has refuted claims that there is no need for a review of the Labour Act. In response to remarks by Labour Analyst Austin Gamey suggesting that the technical committee's examination of the current Labour Act and proposed modifications are unnecessary, Edward Kareweh, the General Secretary of GAWU, reiterated the importance of implementing new provisions to meet modern standards and organized labour's requirements. "This act is a product of negotiation among employers, government, and labor. It's also designed for use by ordinary people in the workplace. It aims to avoid technicalities, ensuring practitioners can easily understand the text and its intended meaning without different interpretations. Therefore, there's an ongoing necessity to review the Labour Act," explained Edward Kareweh in an interview with Citi News, as reported by GhanaWeb. He further elaborated, "The purpose of this act is to consolidate various labor laws into one framework. For instance, PN DC Law 187, which addresses workman compensation, is now incorporated into the new provisions, eliminating the need to reference separate laws." Kareweh emphasised that workplace dynamics have evolved, underscoring the need to update the Labour Act, which has been in place for two decades, to reflect these changes. "We've introduced new elements like addressing violence and harassment in the workplace. Moreover, considering the National Labour Commission's longstanding presence, we've observed its associated weaknesses. Hence, it's imperative to review and integrate these aspects into the act. After over 20 years of implementation, it's essential to revise the Labour Act," he stated. Source: Ghana Web