TUC salutes workers on World Day for Social Justice

Accra, Feb. 18, GNA - The Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) on Thursday saluted all workers in Ghana on the 2010 celebration of World Day for Social Justice.

A statement by Mr. Kofi Asamoah, Secretary General of TUC said Ghana would join other UN member countries to mark the second in the series scheduled for Saturday, February 20. The first celebration proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in November 2007, was celebrated on Friday, February 20, 2009. The statement said during the celebration, Member States were invited to devote the day to the promotion of national activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of the World Summit for Social Development. It would therefore contribute to the efforts of the international community in poverty eradication, promotion of full employment and decent work, gender equity and access to social well-being as well as justice for all.

The statement said participating governments made a commitment to create a framework for action to promote social justice at national, regional and international levels. "They did recognise that economic growth should promote equity and social justice and that a society for all must be based on social justice and respect for all human rights and fundamental freedom," the statement stressed.

According to the first woman President of Ireland, who is also former United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson; "Looking back now, we know the commitments agreed in 1995 have been sidetracked in the years since".

"Today we are looking at three core areas identified by the Copenhagen Declaration, namely decent work, social integration and poverty eradication. "The World Day for Social Justice gives us an opportunity to take stock of how we can work together at the national and global levels on policy and programmes in these areas. This is needed now more than ever." The statement said it was on this note that the Ghana TUC wished all the people of Ghana, especially the hardworking women and men of all walks of life, who leave the comfort of their homes and go through thick and thin to ensure that the country runs, a joyous celebration. The TUC pledged to re-dedicate itself towards the promotion of the equitable distribution of incomes and greater access to resources through equity and equality as well as opportunity for all. The statement urged government to endeavour to promote economic growth, equity and social justice that Ghana would be a society for all based on social justice and respect for all human rights and fundamental principles.