By: Kekeli K. Blamey
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has partnered with the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Accelerator 8.7 Lab Project to launch a sensitization and awareness program for Ghana’s coastal fishing communities.
This initiative aims to educate fisherfolk about their labor rights and promote better working conditions.
Fifty participants from the Volta region’s fishing communities, including Vui Tetekofe, Tetekofe, Dzelukofe, Abutiakofe, Adzido, Kedzi, Agorta, Vodza, and Xorvi, have already benefited from a workshop.
The TUC’s goal is to engage with artisanal fishers, raise awareness about their rights, and explore opportunities for improving their working conditions.
The ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work emphasizes the importance of social progress alongside economic growth.
Ghana has ratified the ILO Convention 188, which provides 15 clear provisions on international labor standards in fishing. This reiterates that Ghana will provide annual reports to the ILO starting from 2025, detailing its implementation of the convention’s provisions, including social security, recruitment, and minimum age.
The program promotes decent work and protects fishermen’s rights. By forming trade unions, workers can collectively address concerns with employers and the government.
Key issues include establishing a social security system, addressing illegal fishing, and creating a regional harbor to ensure stability and decent incomes.
This collaboration is a significant step toward improving labor conditions and promoting sustainable fishing practices in Ghana’s coastal communities.
