The Trade Union Congress (TUC) is appealing to all employers to grant leave to workers who need to be home to care for their children until schools re-open.
“We would also like to appeal to employers to allow workers who can work from home to do so, to minimise interactions at workplaces,” the labour union said in a statement.
The request comes on the back of a drastic measure the government rolled out to minimise the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus. Schools, churches, mosques have been asked to shut down for four weeks as the government seek a solution to a surging virus that has killed thousands around the world.
With parents unprepared for a rather early holiday for their children, ahead of the Easter festivities, many are struggling to keep up with work and childcare.
But it is not everybody who is supporting the government’s decision.
After his announcement a lot of groups, associations and organisations have asked their members to adhere to the directives by the president and the ministry of health.
Read full statement
TRADES UNION CONGRESS (GHANA)
PRESS RELEASE
CORONAVIRUS (COVID 19) PANDEMIC
Following the confirmation of some cases of the coronavirus disease in Ghana, workers and all Ghanaians are understandably anxious.
This has necessitated the directive from the President of the Republic to ban all public gatherings including conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, political rallies, sporting events and religious events.
According to the statement, businesses and other workplaces can continue to operate but should observe enhanced hygiene procedures.
The Honorable Minister for Employment and Labor Relations has informed us that Government is closely monitoring the situation and will issue further information to the public as and when necessary.
In the meantime, we encourage all unions to work closely with their employers to put in place the necessary measures or arrangements to ensure that workers are fully protected from this deadly virus.
In particular, we urge all employers to grant leave to workers who need to be home to care for their children until schools re-open. We would also like to appeal to employers to allow workers who can work from home to do so to minimize interactions at workplaces.
We appreciate the effort Government is making to protect all Ghanaians and foreign residents in the country. We would like to draw the Government’s attention to the prisons because we all know that our prisons are overcrowded.
Finally, we would like to advise all workers to rely only on official sources for information on the coronavirus disease.
[SIGNED)
YAW BAAH
SECRETARY GENERAL
ACCRA, 16 MARCH 2020
