TUC presents certificates to four associations

Page 45
08-08-08

THE Trades Union Congress (TUC) yesterday inducted and presented certificates to four affiliate associations in Accra.
They are the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Makola Traders Association, Madina Traders Association and the Ghana Union of Physically Disabled Workers.
At the ceremony, the acting Secretary-General of the TUC, Mr Kofi Asamoah, said the event formed part of the union’s policy of extending coverage to the informal sector and ensuring the application of minimum labour standards.
He said the four organisations came at a time the TUC had adopted a three-year strategic plan (2008-2010) covering education, training, policy, research, organisational development, restructuring and international organisation.
The strategic plan, he said, sought to professionalise its operations, reach out and maintain constant touch with “our members in order to provide service more efficiently and effectively”.
Mr Asamoah said as part of its programme to equip members, the union was currently discussing the possibility of establishing an educational fund, adding that the discussions were currently at the tripartite level.
“Many of you in the informal economy have neither regular hours of work nor regular incomes. This poses major challenges to you and your families, especially in old age. It is, therefore, of paramount importance that you take urgent steps to be members of the social security scheme,” he told representatives of the associations.
He said the TUC looked forward to the passage of the National Pension Reform Bill as soon as practicable to provide the necessary legal framework on pensions for all working people to ensure social protection.
The President of MUSIGA, Mrs Diana Hopson, said identifying with the TUC would go a long way to help the union, adding that the efforts to join the TUC started some eight years ago.
She expressed the hope that the union would gain a lot by joining the TUC, which had championed the cause of workers over the years.
The Chairman of the Makola Traders Association, Mrs Deborah Yemoteley Quaye, said with the support of the TUC, the association would be more organised.
The President of the Madina Traders Union, Mr Yaw Nkrumah Sekyere, said the union would be better off with its membership with the TUC.