Good working conditions lead to productivity
The National Project Manager of the ILO’s Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work initiative, David Macos, has emphasised the need to ensure proper remuneration for work as a key driver of productivity.
He noted that better working conditions and increased productivity are interconnected and often reinforce each other.
Speaking on the sidelines of a roundtable discussion on Productivity, Jobs, and Growth, held under the theme Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work Project, Macos highlighted the shared understanding among stakeholders, Organised Labour, the Government, and the Ghana Employers’ Association, regarding the link between decent work and productivity.
“I think the solution lies in making our sectors more productive, but at the same time, more decent,” Macos stated.
“The conversation is about how social partners are trying to find a nexus between productivity and decent work. Unions and employers concluded that while productivity leads to better working conditions, improved working conditions are equally necessary to achieve higher productivity.”
Macos also disclosed that the ILO is collaborating with government agencies to develop policies aimed at creating systems that enhance productivity.
“We are working with the Ghana Statistical Service to generate productivity data for different sectors. This will support the government in crafting policies aligned with sectors that show high potential for productivity growth, such as extractives.
“However, sectors like manufacturing and agro-processing also stand out, not only for their productivity potential but also for their capacity to create decent jobs and foster linkages across the economy,” he added.
SSD/MA