Union calls for review of quota to foreign firms

New Aberim, (E/R), July 16, GNA- A trade unionist has called on government to review the quota of expatriates employed by foreign firms because the opportunity is being abused.

Mr Eric Gyimah, Deputy General Secretary of the Ghana Mines Workers Union (GMWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), said currently the firms employed expatriate engineers, project supervisors, management staff among others to man positions which indigenous Ghanaians could manage, affecting the growth of the economy.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the Junior Staff Union (JSU) and Professional and Management Staff Union (PMSU) all of the Newmont Ghana Gold branch of GMWU, at New Aberim in the Eastern Region, on Saturday.

Mr Gyimah said it was necessary for the Ghana Chamber of Mines to collaborate with GMWU to conduct skill audit to avoid doubt about the capability of Ghanaian personnel in managing key positions in the country.

He said management should not consider the formation of the unions as a threat but the beginning of greater co-operation between it and workers, adding that in this era of globalization employers would need to count on unions not to ensure peace and economic growth. Mr Isaac Adjei Mensah, Human Resource and Industrial Relations of the Company, said the era of acrimonies and hatred that characterized management-worker relations was past.

He said while management affirmed its commitment to ensuring a congenial working atmosphere, workers should reciprocate the initiative by guarding against anything that would strain worker-management relations.

Representing the Junior Staff on the union were Asiamah Denkyirah, Chairman, Michael Owusu, vice chairman, Richard Ankomah, Secretary, Kenneth Ofosu Kufour, Assistant Secretary and Mr James kofi Adams as first trustee.

Mr Charles Djan and Mr William Frempong were elected second trustee and Porter/Chaplain respectively.

Those elected for PMSU were Philip Owusu Agyapong, Chairman, Kingsly Asare, Vice Chairman, John Kwesi Koomson, Secretary, Paul Obeng, Assistant Secretary, Mrs Gloria Mahama and Miss Efia Ayitey, first and second trustee respectively Mr Osei Sarfo is the Chaplain/porter.