The President of the Republic of Ghana reaffirms his commitment to passing a new Labour Act in Labour Day speech

Accra (ILO News): “The least I can do for the over 11.5 million people in the labour force and the next generation is to enact a new labour Act that is comprehensive, and contemporary, and protects the interests of all actors in the world of work”
 His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana

In 2023, the ILO the Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work programme and the Trade for Decent Projects of the ILO Abuja country office signed an implementation agreement with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations in Ghana. Technical assistance was given to support ILO constituents in Ghana ensure a new Labour Act was in line with ILO conventions and that it met the government’s aspirations for social justice and decent work. 

The ILO support resulted in the establishment and inauguration of Labour Legislation Review Technical Committee (LLRTC) in June 2023. The committee was tasked with providing strategic directions, seeking expert technical advice, and issuing drafting instructions to a national legal consultant in the review of then Labour Legislation and the development of the new Bill. Following extensive consultation and technical drafting sessions, the first Draft Labour Bill was produced and validated in April 2024. The tripartite national validation resulted in the Draft Final of the Labour Bill, 2024 which was presented to the Cabinet of Ghana for onward submission to the Parliament of Ghana for approval.

The technical and financial assistance resulted in the introduction of critical productivity enhancing and decent work clauses in the new draft Labour Act – such as clauses on for employers to provide productivity incentive policies and programmes at the workplace and provide adequate grievance procedure for workers.

Back in 2003, the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) was originally announced by the Government of Ghana to regulate the labour and employment space for decent outcomes. The Act It had not been reviewed or amended since its enactment. Over the past two decades, there have been fallouts such as difficulty in implementation due to the exercise of discretion in the interpretation of some aspects of the Law, disconnection with some relevant and new international labour standards, as well as emerging issues in the world of work.  

In 2020 the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR) commissioned a team of consultants to lead a review of the labour law and related labour legislations. A series of engagements with stakeholders followed, resulting into a final report which was submitted to the Ministry, and eventual involvement of the ILO. 

The Labour Bill, 2024 will improve fairness in the world of work, promote worker empowerment, worker protection and deliver decent work conditions with fair wages. It will regulate individual and collective employment relations. A positive advancement for Ghanaians across all sectors of the workforce.

The Productivity Ecosystem for Decent work project is implemented by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and funded by the Government of Switzerland and Norway.