By Bright Kofi Agamah
The Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU-Ghana) has expressed concern over the influx of pirated counterfeit textile products in the Ghanaian markets. It notes the products, which take about 70% of the textile market of the country, negatively impact the sustainability of the local textile industry.
The Union describes this development as a blatant disregard for patents and copyrights, emphasising the urgent need for the government to enforce the Textile Tax Stamp and design registration laws to curb the illicit activities of foreign actors in the textile market.
He was worried that operations of some textiles companies such as Tex Styles Ghana (TSG), Akosombo Industry Company Limited (AICL) and Volta Star Textile Company Limited (VSTL) have been hindered due to the lack of financial resources and Government support.
“The operations of Tex Styles Ghana (TSG), Akosombo Industrial Company Limited (AICL) and Volta Star Textile Limited (VSTL) have been seriously hampered over the years due to lack of financial resources and Government support to execute their function.”
He added, “For instance, TSG is currently operating under 50% of its installed capacity. This deficiency has had a ripple effect on the functions of VSTL, where TSG has been sourcing 25% of its grey baft needs, which constitutes 100% of VSTL’s entire production, resulting in the closure of VSTL.”
Mr. Ayawine called for swift government action to revitalize these institutions and restore their vibrancy.
“These organisations are some of the Stated-Owned Enterprises that are distressed and need urgent resourcing and Government support to make them once more viable and profitable as in time past, to bring relief to their workers whose fate has been hanging in the balance for a long time now.”
He appealed to the government to extend and maintain the Zero VAT Exemption for the textile industry in Ghana, in order to help them sustain their operations.
ALUWORKS
Mr Ayawine was unhappy that Aluworks, which produces aluminium sheets, has been left to face imminent shutdown.
“Aluworks, a strategic investment that produces aluminium sheets for the construction and automotive industry among others, has been left to shut down for lack of funds and Government support to carry out its operations.”
He revealed some progress has been made which will see operations at Aluworks resume pending the approval of the SSNIT Board which is yet to be reconstituted. He therefore asked the government to expedite appointment of the SSNIT Board.
“The Union has intervened and an investor has been secured to take over the operations of the company pending approval of the SSNIT Board which is yet to be reconstituted. It is hoped that Government would expedite the appointment of SSNIT Board to complete the process for Aluworks to bounce back in the shortest possible time.”
ANTI-UNION EMPLOYERS
Mr Ayawine said employers who resist unionisation of their employees fall foul of the labour laws and encouraged offending employers to desist from such practice.
“The tendency of some employers to resist unionisation of their employees contrary to the labour laws is a matter of great concern which must be addressed to uphold the fundamental human rights and freedoms of association of Ghanaian workers.”
He made reference to the recent termination of appointments of unionised staff of World Shoe Limited, which he said was under the guise of redundancy, without going through due process.
“We want to use this occasion to sound a note of caution to the Management of World Shoe Limited to reinstate the workers whose appointments were terminated in the process of their unionisation, and respect the laws of the land or we shall advise ourselves as may be appropriate in the coming days.”
Conclusion
Mr Ayawine urged the government to formulate policies that would deal with the challenges in the industrial sector of the economy to create more jobs for the teeming unemployed youth. This, he said, would effectively address poverty and the upsurge of social vices in the country.
