MESC Expresses Concern About Illegal Strikes

Accra, June 18, GNA - The Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare said on Friday that it had observed that workers have in recent weeks taken the law into their own hands and embarked on illegal strikes.

In a statement issued by Mr Austin Gamey, a Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, it referred to the strike by workers of African Automobile Limited and International Automobile and said they are engaged in acts of intimidation and harassment against management and staff.

"In the process, both employees and clients have been prevented from entering the premises with the result that clients of the company are being subjected to undue inconvenience."

The ministry said the action by the workers is tantamount to "unfair practice" and advised those involved in the action "to desist forthwith from such unwarranted acts".

It told the aggrieved workers that there are procedures to be followed for the resolution of labour-related problems.

"The Ministry considers as ill-times and unfortunate blackmail of executives of labour groups seeking to heighten tension between management and workers and thus compel management to agree to the unionisation of workers which contravenes Section 30 (1)-(3) of Act 299 of 1965 which demands that an employer's consent should be sought before unionising its employees."

The Ministry said the case of the dismissed employees of the two companies was receiving attention.

"The resort to confrontation and harassment of clients of the companies is, therefore, irresponsible and cannot be justified under any circumstances."

The Ministry advised management to guard against high-handedness which undermines management/worker relations.