CSIR-SRI WORKERS MARK 2023 MAY DAY IN KUMASI

On Monday, May 1, 2023, a parade of workers from the Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), the General Agricultural Union (GAWU) and other identifiable workers’ unions showed up at Kumasi Jubilee Park to honour this year’s May Day celebration.

Hon.Simon Osei Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, on his part, stated that the government was willing to engage with workers to reach its goal since the government was determined to

develop the country to a significant level. He urged workers to learn new skills to enable them to compete in the changes around the world.

According to the Minister, the government is expecting the working force to give their best at the various workplaces, adding there is dignity in Labour.

“As the government worked to extend the social protection law for workers’ rights, uphold good work ethics and avoid absenteeism, leaving the office before closing time, and corruption”, he added.

In his address to the crowd, Mr. Osman Abengo, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, stated that workers were still denied their fundamental right to join unions and that they were afraid of being fired by their employers, citing telecommunications companies, hotel and restaurant operators as examples.

He urged the government to provide the necessary logistics and finance to state institutions such as the Factories Inspectorate Department, Labour Department, and others so that they could monitor employers and adjudicate Labour disputes quickly to ensure employers did not mistreat workers with impunity.

Mr. Stephen Wiredu, Principal Technician Officer at CSIR-SRI and doubles as the local chairman of GAWU-TUC at the CSIR-SRI Institute, commended CSIR-SRI workers for their immense contributions to the developments of the Institute over the years.

Some deserving workers were presented with awards such as coloured Television sets and Refrigerators at the parade.