Fast-track restructuring programmes - PUWU

Accra, April 3, GNA - The Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU) has called for the fast-tracking of reforms in the water sector to make for the efficient operation of the Sector.

Speaking at the 9th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference, Mr W. Jerry Addo, General Secretary of PUWU, said some of the reform programmes suffered long delays as a result of the lack of political will and financial resources and conditionalities of Donors packaged as expert advice, which sometimes contradicted and infringed upon deep-seated social norms.

He said one evolving challenge was the relegation of workers' and unions' participation at the initial stages of the restructuring process and questioned the motive for the secrecy.

Mr Addo said when changes became necessary due to weaknesses, non-performance and other negative occurrences in an organisation the worker was painted as dishonest, inefficient and incorrigible.

He said when the worker was ultimately transferred to a new investor, contractor or partner he or she must have to grapple with a new world of work with unfamiliar culture and ended up stigmatized, adding that this sometimes breached the harmonious relationship between the worker and the employer.

The conference, which was held in Kumasi on March 22, 2007, was under the theme: 93Strengthening the Union to Meet the Challenges of the Utility Sector and the Labour Law".

Turning to the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651), Mr Addo said the most fundamental challenge to the PUWU was the freedom for two persons or more to form a union notwithstanding the existence of a union for the same class of workers in the same organisation.

He said this posed threat of a breakdown of workplace solidarity that rendered the worker vulnerable.

Mr Addo warned that since members of PUWU were classified as "essential service workers" any act that was 93effected during a lawful strike that causes harm or destruction can be prosecuted criminally".

He urged workers to stand united because 93big Unions exude power and are more resourceful" and said the most adaptable would always survive.