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Ghana: Domestic workers call on government to ratify C189

Ghana: Domestic workers call on government to ratify C189

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by IDWFED published Jun 16, 2014 12:00 AM
Contributors: Adwoa Sakyi
The Ghana government has been called upon to ratify ILO Convention 189 (2011) as early as possible to make those in the sector enjoy equal rights as other workers.
When
Jun 16, 2014 (Universal / UTC0)
Where
Ghana
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GHANA -

INTERNATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKERS DAY OBSERVED IN GHANA

WITH CALL ON GOVERNMENT TO RATIFY C 189

The Ghana government has been called upon to ratify ILO Convention 189 (2011) as early as possible to make those in the sector enjoy equal rights as other workers.

The IUF Africa Regional Women’s Project Coordinator, Adwoa Sakyi made the call at this year’s commemoration of International Domestic Workers (IDW) day in Accra.

The day, which falls on June 16 each year, was set aside as a commemorative day for Domestic Workers by the ILO when it passed Convention 189 and Recommendation 201 on June 16, 2011.

IUF Africa Women's Coordinator making her presentation at the commemoration. (Photo: Adwoa Sakyi) Esther Kosi, West Africa rep of AfDWN, reading the message from the Gen-Sec of IDWF, Elizabeth Tang. (Photo: Adwoa Sakyi)

Sister Adwoa noted that in spite of commitments to ratify the convention since 2011, Ghana is yet to ratify it. She however, gave the encouragement that the story would be different this year because in his 2014 state of the nation address, the President of Ghana disclosed that the Gender, Children and Social Protection Ministry has initiated the process for the validation of the Domestic Workers Regulation. This could lead to the final ratification.

In messages, the Head of Industrial Relations, TUC Ghana, Bro. Seth Ablozo, stated that ratification of the convention would ensure social protection for domestic workers.

For her part, the NETRIGHT Convener, Dr. Akua Britwum said development of new laws and adaptation of existing ones as demanded by the convention depends on mobilization and that organization is important to secure the rights in the convention.

A message signed by the General Secretary of International Domestic Workers Federation, Elizabeth Tang, was read by the West Africa rep of Africa Domestic Workers Federation (AfDWN) Esther Kosi. The message said the focus this year was on thousands of domestic workers working in Qatar and its neighbouring countries as the manner in which they were being treated was outrageous and unacceptable.

Participants, mostly Domestic Workers, listening to the presentations. (Photo: Adwoa Sakyi) Domestic worker reading the demand for ratification letter addressed to two Ministers. (Photo: Adwoa Sakyi)

A letter addressed to two Ministers, Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations as well as Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, by domestic workers demanding that Ghana government ratify C 189 was also read by a domestic worker at the event. The letter requested that the Convention be presented to Parliament for consideration and subsequent ratification and implement the recommendation, and to do so as soon as possible. It also asked for a review of Ghana national laws and reform them as necessary to bring them into line with the new convention and recommendations.

The event ended with a street procession on principal streets of Accra with participants bearing placards with messages such as “Ratify C189 Now,” “End to Job Insecurity,” “Free Domestic Workers in Qatar,” and “Equality at the Workplace,” among others.


Participants march on principal streets of Accra.
Photo: Adwoa Sakyi

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