Labour minister must link up with other ministries to create jobs – GFL

By Laudia Sawer

Tema, Feb4, GNA – The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has called on the Minister for Labour, Jobs, and Employment to link up with other ministers if approved to help create jobs for Ghanaians.

Mr. Abraham Koomson, the Secretary General of the GFL, stated that it was their expectation that Mr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, the labour minister-designate, would link up with the Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry Minister to collaborate with the Food and Agriculture Minister to develop a policy direction towards job creation.

Mr. Koomson said this in reaction to the minister’s answers on job creation during his vetting on Thursday by the Parliamentary Appointment Committee.

He explained that such collaboration would ensure the realisation of the 24-hour economic policy of the government and provide a basis for data assessment of job vacancies.

On the minister-designate’s promise to consult the necessary stakeholders on the review of the Labour Act (Act 651), he indicated that the Act was currently under review; therefore, the minister would be able to bring up inputs to enrich the content before the Bill was presented to Parliament.

Commenting on issues of pension age, he agreed to the call for the raising of the pension age from 60 to 65 years.

Mr. Koomson, however, stated that the change in age should be based on the individual’s health, adding that extending the age would help preserve institutional memory.

“Some also argue about stifling opportunities for youth employment when the age is raised. I think this argument is too simplistic and must be subjected to exhaustive discourse,” he added.

GNA