The leadership of the Ghana hotels association, have put together its maiden open dialogue platform to discuss issues of mutual interest to stakeholders within the industry.
The maiden event brought several key resource persons from labour union and labour law experts, as well as many renowned tourism practitioners, to discuss and dialogue on issues relating to employer and employee relationship on the theme: “Ensuring harmony between employers and employees in the hotel sector, the role of collective bargaining agreement’’
The President of the Ghana Hotels Association, Dr. Ackah Nyamekye indicated in his opening remarks that the purpose of the dialogue is to congregate ideas from industry players and experts to ensure harmony between employers and employees which he believes contribute significantly to the performance of the hotel industry in Ghana.
According to him, since he assumed office as the president with the new executives of the association this year, they have paid series of courtesy calls on various stakeholders to address various issues concerning collective bargaining agreement which is hampering performance of the hotels.
Based on these concerns, the leadership thought it prudent to organize this dialogue section in order to identify common grounds to ensure a cordial working relationship between the employers and employees.
The collective bargaining agreement is a contract which contains the terms of employment and conditions of service as agreed by employers and employees during negotiation.
The 1992 constitution and Labor Act 2003 governs collective bargaining in Ghana, it is expected that employers and employees will make reasonable effort to reach an agreement to serve as the guiding principle in determining what is befitting of an employee at all times and must also be in the interest of the employers.
Mr. John Aboradze Hayfron, Director, Managerial Staff Union of the Industrial And Commercial Workers Union (ICU) said “the collective bargaining agreement can also be considered the lifeblood of the trade unionism and it is the main purpose for which workers from a union” He is of the view that bargaining on the workers side should be done by an elected committee which can act as a contracting party representing the interest of all union members.
Collective bargaining provides voice to the workers and in doing so has the potential to enhance working conditions, increase productivity, reduce in equality and help minimize industrial conflict he added.
Other speakers and dignitaries at the event were Mr. Samson Shivalu Marshal General Manager Alisa Hotel, Mr. Kinsley Amuah of Ghana employers association, Mr. Kofi Adinkrah, as well as Prof. Kwaku Boakye head of department hospitality and tourism department university of Cape Coast who facilitated the discussion.
The hotels association intends to organize series of this dialogue section in their determination to seek the interest of both employees and employers within the sector to enhance growth and productivity.
