By Buertey Francis BORYOR
The International Labour Organisation (ILO), in collaboration with Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), has held a meeting with key multinational companies and public sector agencies in the country as part of efforts to promote fair labour practices.
The business meeting for one hundred Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) took place in Accra ahead of Ghana Club Hundred Awards, and is part of GIPC’s efforts at promoting and enforcing fair labour practices in the country that align with ILO standards.
The event sought to raise awareness among multinational companies operating in the country about fair labour practices and their significance.
Additionally, it aimed at empowering workers to understand their rights and participate actively in promoting fair labour standards.
ILO Director for Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Liaison for ECOWAS, Vanessa L. Phala, in a keynote speech at the event commended Ghana for demonstrating a strong commitment toward promoting the ILO Multinational Enterprises (MNE) Declaration – the ILO instrument on responsible business conduct – by designating tripartite-appointed national focal points for promoting the MNE declaration and bringing together government, employers and workers’ perspectives.
Additionally, she said the country is one of 12 ILO member-states which have designed national focal points.
“The four national focal points represent the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, Ghana Investment Promotion Center, Ghana Employers Association and Trades Unions Congress of Ghana,” she elaborated.
“It is by working together that we will achieve our goal to make inclusive and sustainable growth a reality in Ghana; where responsible, competitive and productive enterprises contribute to the realization of decent work,” she added.
The meeting was organised under the EU/ILO Trade for Decent Work Project framework. The Trade For Decent Work Project is sponsored by the EU and Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Finland, with support from the Ghana Employers Association, TUC and government.
About the MNE Declaration
The MNE Declaration is an ILO instrument that promotes decent work within multinational enterprises working in Ghana and elsewhere.
About the ILO/EU Trade for Decent Work Project
With funding from the European Union and Government of Finland, the project seeks to support improvement in applying the ILO fundamental Conventions within EU trading partner countries through improved labour relations and working conditions. The project is being implemented in Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar, Mongolia, Pakistan, Philippines, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Madagascar.
