‘Open your eyes’ to plight of informal sector – TUC tells government

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has blamed government for the current living conditions of workers in the country; especially of those in the informal sector.

Majority of workers in the country are either still being paid below  the minimum wage, are not getting their entitlements due them such as pensions and  health benefits, or have not had their appointments formalized, the TUC Secretary General Kofi Asamoah says.

Speaking to JOYNEWS at a conference on challenges facing informal sector workers, organized by the Friedrich Ebert Stifung foundation, TUC Secretary General Kofi Asamoah says workers should be given the necessary protection and recognition, considering their huge contributions to the economy.

Mr Asamoah stated that in the midst of the huge youth unemployment in the country and the economic challenges the country is facing, it is imperative that Government ensure the total well-being of workers.

He called on Government to “open their eyes” and “begin to work effectively to ensure that the informal sector is tackled and given the necessary boost to enable it contribute more to the economy.”

Mr Asamoah declared that it is still unfortunate that after 58 years of independence, the country cannot boast of true economic freedom which comes from policies and management, saying “our leaders over the years have never had the foresight to ensure that our country is put on the level of development that can go at pace over our years of independence”.

He was of the opinion that despite 58 years of freedom, the country has several deficits in the areas of employment, social protection and basic lifestyle of the people. The current issues pertaining to energy, were also tagged squarely with the deficit label.

Mr Asamoah insisted that it is important that government draws its attention to the deficits the country has faced over the years, as “there is much to be done and it should guide us into the future to ensure that we provide appropriate solutions to the numerous problems with us.”

He called on leaders to be “visionary enough to be able to provide the kind of leadership that can take us into the future”.