THE GHANAIAN WORKER AND WELFARE
According to the Abraham Maslow theory of needs, job satisfaction or dissatisfaction is as a result of financial rewards and the conditions at work. Hence for someone, if the pay is good but the conditions at work is bad, there is no satisfaction and hence productivity is low. Others also have complete disregard for the conditions at work as long as the pay is good. The conditions at work in this case refer to the logistics provided or available that would enable the easy and swift execution of tasks at the work place. Most workers however, are not fortunate enough to obtain any of the above measure of job satisfaction. The salaries paid in a lot of companies within the country are woefully inadequate and the conditions at work, is nothing to write home about.
In Ghana, it is often a common thing to find a lot of work places especially in the government sector in poor conditions, almost abandoned. The offices lack adequate infrastructure, furniture and even equipment. Consequently, workers in such places report to work without doing any meaningful work. Some also just stay at home and would rather not come to work. With regard to the working conditions in the private sectors especially in the construction and manufacturing companies or institutions, the concerns are usually much graver. This is because as the name suggests, the private sectors operate just as they like without much regard to the welfare requirements for their workers since they are usually not subjected to public scrutiny as in the public sectorss.
Over the years and as is common these days, various workers welfare societies and groups have sprung up to fight for the rights of workers at their work places and to ensure that their concerns are addressed as much as possible in terms of their salaries, working conditions and other entitlements. All these are with regards to the fundamental rights of all individuals and in conformity to the accepted standards of living. This article is to tackle the welfare of Ghanaian workers especially in the private sector since my research into some work places in Ghana has necessitated this.
In the more structured institutions in Ghana both private and public, most workers know their fundamental rights and also, their rights at work as employees. Workers in the sector have received some form of education and usually, higher. Subsequently, workers in such institutions work within their rights and at the end of the day, ensure that they enjoy their full benefits and entitlement. The management in such institutions is also very circumspect in their dealings with their workers for fear of the consequences.
In the less structured institutions especially in the manufacturing and construction industry in Ghana however, the situation is most often the reverse. Most workers in this sector have complete disregard for their rights and entitlements. They have no knowledge and are completely ignorant of these. The management in these sectors does as they please. Workers in these areas are punished and even sacked for the least provocation whenever management feels like without any benefits. The working conditions for workers in these sectors are sometimes really unpleasant and demeaning since these sectors usually deal with the unskilled labour and at times the semi-skilled labours that usually have no knowledge about their rights at their workplaces, they suffer unwarrantedly.
A visit to some private institutions in this country would find workers who are subdued to poor or harsh working conditions without any benefits. These workers usually operate under highly hazardous or risky and life-threatening conditions with low safety measures and provisions and sometimes, without adequate insurance if any. For some, the basic welfare requirements like potable water, toilets and urinals, food and even accommodation are not provided. Those who are also fortunate to enjoy these do so, at times under dehumanizing conditions. These workers are sometimes abused verbally and non-verbally. For the female workers, it is the usual and expected cases of sexual harassment.
Although in all institutions, workers union and welfare groups or societies have been created to negotiate and ensure that workers in the various industries enjoy their full benefits, most of the leaders in these societies are themselves workers in the various companies and hence it becomes a conflict of interest. Consequently, instead of fighting for the interests of the workers, they rather fight for their personal interests for fear of losing their jobs. These so-called workers welfare society leaders look the other way whenever the rights of workers in their companies are being infringed. Some even side with management and work against these unfortunate workers. Any worker who insists on his or her rights is victimized ultimately by a sack or termination of appointment without any warning or benefits. Most often, the uneducated workers suffer the most. What then becomes the rationale for setting up these workers unions and welfare societies? Must workers be subdued to dehumanizing conditions at work simply because they are in need of employment? Must workers submit to all forms of disrespect just because they want to make a living?
This is the sad reality in our country today especially in the foreign-owned companies and institutions in this country. Workers endure all forms of humiliation in these work places and simply because the government has not got much say in the affairs of these institutions, they do as they well please. The irony of this whole situation is the fact that all this is happening under our very own noses.
It is time for the government to take a critical look at the activities and the operations of the private institutions or companies within the country. We can all attest to the immeasurable contributions of this sector to the economic growth of this country especially in the field of employment but again, that does not give them the power to operate freely. The government has a role to play in ensuring that the working conditions of worker in these institutions are humane. Those very guilty of this are the foreign owned companies especially in the areas of construction and manufacturing. Although we all applaud the government’s attempt to ensure a good relation with these countries, it should not be done to the disadvantage of the ordinary Ghanaian citizen. Ghana is our only country. Ghana belongs to us all and so her citizens should be treated right. What our workers sometimes submit to at their work places will be unacceptable in other countries should conditions be reversed.
Our civil society groups and organizations together with our worker’s union and welfare groups owe it to all workers in the country of ensuring that their interests are served at all times. A lot of workers are operating under inhumane conditions but are obliged to put up with it since they have no choice. They need to make a living. In the attempt, a lot of workers have fallen ill, some have been mamed, and others have ultimately lost their lives due to their working conditions. This should not be allowed to continue. This is an appeal to all groups and societies within the country and beyond, who are responsible for ensuring and securing the welfare of workers.
In the past, various media groups and individuals have done a lot of investigations on the operations of some organizations within the country and have made remarkable and life-changing discoveries. I believe our media owe it to all of us to continue in their strides in the field of investigative journalism. Most of the time, whenever the media visit various organizations, they only interview the management. Of course, the wrong pictures are usually captured! I challenge our media to get the facts from the horse’s own mouth. Talk to the ordinary worker or labourer and get the facts just as they are. The bitter truth! That would serve the interest of the workers. That would be in the country’s own interest.
We cannot do without our industrious workers. We cannot do without our illustrious sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters. We need every manpower and labour there is, for the development and progress of our nation. It is high time the Ghanaian work enjoys much safe working conditions in his or her work place. Workers are valuable resources to the development of every nation and should be treated as such.
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