Geneva: Mr Joshua Ansah, the Secretary-General of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC), has praised the Government of Ghana for its initiatives aimed at establishing a resilient and job-rich economy. Speaking at the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, Mr Ansah emphasized the TUC’s readiness to collaborate on the government’s job creation agenda while ensuring the welfare of workers remains uncompromised.

According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Ansah highlighted the importance of reinforcing the connection between jobs, rights, and growth. He urged the International Labour Organization (ILO) to enhance its supervisory mechanisms to better protect trade union rights. Additionally, he called for increased investment in Africa’s social protection and employment systems to ensure no worker is left behind in the pursuit of a fairer world of work.

The ongoing Conference, held from June 2-13, brings together representatives from ILO’s 187 member states, including government, employer, and worker delegates, to discuss crucial issues affecting the world of work. Key topics include potential new international standards on worker protection from biological hazards, the platform economy’s decent work conditions, and the transition from informal to formal employment.

Mr Ansah expressed gratitude to ILO Director-General Mr Gilbert F. Houngbo for his report, ‘Jobs, Rights and Growth: Reinforcing the Connection’, which underscores the collective commitment of social partners and emphasizes the role of workers in driving sustainable growth and creating decent employment opportunities.

He noted that sustainable economic development hinges on decent jobs, respect for fundamental rights, and inclusive growth, which are interdependent priorities requiring collective and coherent pursuit. In Ghana, trade unions have been instrumental in embedding these principles in legislation and daily work life, despite ongoing challenges such as a growing informal economy, stagnating wages, and rising employment insecurity.

Mr Ansah stressed the need to address these challenges by heeding the Director-General’s call to reconnect jobs, rights, and growth through policy action and global solidarity.