dragged the labour unions to court<\/a><\/strong><\/span> after attempts\u00a0to resolve the issue proved futile.<\/p>\nThe Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Haruna Iddrisua told Parliament that \u201cOur Constitution guarantees freedom of association and we do recognize the right of workers to push home their demand to the withdrawal of their services.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut government will soon appear before this house for a policy review on strike actions generally. The law that provides for lawful actions and we have those that may be illegal or unlawful pending its determination by the National Labour Commission,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
He explained that \u201cif workers want to go on strike action, they can do so and government will respect it but they should do so within a limited time period.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI will think that in future Parliament should support us to legislate that you may not be on strike action beyond 72 hours but you can for purposes of driving home your demand withdraw your services. Within 48 to 72 hours, it\u2019s important that you return to work because it affects productivity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Citing effects of strike actions on health delivery in the country to buttress his point, Haruna Iddrisu said \u201cany loss of life, limbs, eyes or ears arising out of the doctor or the nurse not being at work cannot be compensated for yet if there are outstanding arrears to be paid, I\u2019m sure at future date, government through consultation with them can reach an amicable settlement.\u201d<\/p>\n
He argued that the new law does not mean that government intends to \u201coutlaw strikes\u201d since \u201cit is legitimate and legal and one of their most potent weapons \u00a0but I think that it should be used rarely and not at all time to check us and to get the state to coil back into doing something that otherwise would not do.\u201d<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n