A labour expert has raised concerns about the procedure adopted by the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) in declaring its nationwide strike, stressing that due process must be followed before any industrial action.
Speaking on the matter with Kojo Preko Dankwa on Kessben Maakye, Hon. Ofosu Asamoah, a former Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission, indicated that under Ghana’s labour laws, workers intending to embark on a strike must first issue a formal seven-day notice to the government and involve the National Labour Commission (NLC).
According to him, the Commission is mandated to intervene before any strike action takes place, especially where disputes arise between employers and employees.
“Before you go on strike, you must give notice to the government. The National Labour Commission must even be involved before the strike action,” he explained.
He further noted that if arbitration or mediation processes are ongoing, it would render the strike action illegal under labour regulations.
Mr. Agyeman also questioned the approach used by CLOGSAG to announce the strike, suggesting that declaring such action through a press conference is not the appropriate procedure.
“You do not declare a strike through a press conference but through proper notice to the National Labour Commission and government,” he said.
He clarified that while negotiations between employers and employees are primarily handled by the parties involved, the National Labour Commission typically steps in as a legal mediator when one party fails to adhere to agreed terms.
The labour expert also suggested that the government may be strategically quiet on the issue as it works behind the scenes to resolve the dispute.
Meanwhile, the NLC has indicated it learned about the strike through the media, a situation Mr. Agyeman believes is not the best approach for industrial relations.
He has therefore appealed to both the government and CLOGSAG to return to the negotiating table and resolve the matter amicably.
“I will plead with the government and CLOGSAG to come to the table and resolve the issue amicably,” he urged.
