By Elsie Appiah-Osei

Accra, May 14, GNA – The Parliamentary Select Committee of Employment, Labour Relations, and Pensions, on Wednesday called for stronger enforcement of labour laws and increased resources in the sector.

“We need to develop a strategic framework to drive job creation and placement,” said Mr. Frank Asiedu Bekoe, the Deputy Ranking of the Committee.

Mr. Aseidu Bekoe, also the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Suhum, said during a familiarization visit by the Committee to the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment.

The visit formed part of the Committee’s oversight mandate of reviewing the operations of institutions under its watch.

Emphasizing the need for bold policies to address youth unemployment, Mr. Asiedu Bekoe and other Committee members explained it was crucial following the recent hike in abuse of drugs, betting and other social vices among the youth.

The Committee members further inquired from the ministry if there was any correlation between the high youth unemployment and abuse in drugs.

However, Mr. Hamidu Adakrugu, the Chief Director, Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, told the Committee that there was no scientific proof to that effect.

Madam Mavis Nkansah Boadu, a member of the Committee and an NPP MP for Afigya Sekyere East, expressed worry at how some workers in the informal sector were allegedly not covered by the labour laws.

“We have a lot of workers in the informal sector, and they are not adequately covered by labor laws. We need to realign our strategies to ensure their protection,” she said.

In his presentation, Mr. Emmanuel Kwaasi Adjei, Principal Planning Officer, Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, said the ministry was reviewing the Labour Act of 2003 to address enforcement and complaint issues, with a focus on protecting workers in the informal sector.

The discussion highlighted the need for increased resources, better coordination, and stronger enforcement of labor laws to protect workers’ rights and promote job creation.

On his part, Mr. Albert Tetteh Nyakotey, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Yilo Krobo and a member of the Committee called for a collaborative teamwork approach to the identified challenges.

“Let’s strengthen partnerships and enhance collaboration to improve processes and outcomes,” he said

Mr. Joseph Appiah Boateng, the Chairman of the Committee and an NDC MP Afram Plains South, lauded the Ministry’s efforts aimed to promote job creation, protect workers’ rights, and drive economic growth.

“Let’s create impactful policies that put millions of Ghanaians into jobs,” he urged.

GNA

GRB