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Construction Union asks Ghana@50 Secretariat to seek
technical advice
Accra, Dec. 29, GNA- The Construction and Builders Materials
Workers’ Union of the Trade Union Congress (CBMWU) have
cautioned officials of Ghana@50 Secretariat, not to pursue
the execution of projects without professional advice, in
order to avoid structural defects that may lead to disaster.
The Union, which gave the caution on Friday, said in view of
the limited time for the execution of the projects to
facilitate the Golden Jubilee celebration of Ghana’s
Independence on March 6, 2007, there was the need to avoid
hasty works that may cost lives.
Mr Pious Quainoo, General Secretary of the CBMWU, who gave
the advice while addressing a workshop for members of staff
of the Union in Accra, said the celebration should be used
to showcase the country as having matured in construction
practices n consonance with international standards.
He thereforlge called on the government to initiate
investigations into reasons why some public buildings
collapse soon after construction, adding that the anomaly is
detrimental to the interest of the nation and the tax payer
in general.
Mr Quainoo also called on government to oust employers in
the construction industry who cunningly adopts measures to
evade tax, exploit workers through low wage and use casual
labour system to avoid payment of social security through
permanent employment.
Mr said unregulated, unprotected, insecure and indecent
practices which did not guarantee the health and safety
conditions at construction sites must be reversed.
He said the practice whereby employers did what they pleased
with the fate of workers, irrespective of the Labour law was
"at variance with the United Nation's Declaration of Human
Rights".
Mr Quainoo asked workers who do not belong to trade unions
to join to enable them assert their rights.
He said employers should associate themselves with various
Employers Associations so that they would be abreast with
basic employment standards.
"The conditions under which construction workers were
treated right in the capital and major urban cities under
full glare of public authorities on major public projects
are worrisome."
He called on the Government, Parliament, the Media,
development partners, and civil society organisations to
join hands with CBMWU to improve the lot of casual workers
in the country.
GNA
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