Strikes Now Workers Only Loudspeaker as Labour Commission Warns of Dangerous Trend

Bernice Welbeck, Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission, has observed that workers have come to see strikes as the only time they get the attention of their employers amid rising labour agitations in the country.

Speaking at a labour forum in Accra, Welbeck said the growing tendency of workers to resort to industrial action reflects a deeper breakdown in workplace communication and grievance handling. She noted that many employees now believe that their concerns are ignored until they lay down their tools, a perception she described as worrying for industrial harmony.

She explained that the commission has recorded a surge in strike notices and labour disputes in recent months, with most arising from unresolved grievances over salaries, conditions of service and alleged disregard for collective agreements. According to her, employers often wait until tensions escalate before engaging workers, a pattern that fuels mistrust and repeated disruptions.

Welbeck urged employers to prioritise regular dialogue with workers and to address complaints promptly before they snowball into full-blown disputes. She stressed that strikes come at a heavy cost to productivity, the economy and the livelihoods of ordinary workers, and should be a last resort rather than a first response.

She also called on labour unions to exhaust established dispute resolution mechanisms, including mediation and arbitration, before declaring industrial action. The commission, she said, remains committed to supporting both employers and workers to reach amicable settlements.

Some labour analysts who attended the forum echoed her concerns, noting that weak enforcement of labour laws and delays in resolving cases have deepened frustration among workers. They called for stronger institutions and faster dispute resolution processes.

Welbeck’s remarks come amid rising labour agitation across several sectors, with unions threatening strikes over unpaid allowances and stalled negotiations. She warned that unless the culture of engagement improves, the country could see more frequent and disruptive industrial actions.

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