Abstract:
This is a study on ihe causes and impact of labour unrest on some selected
organizations in Accra. Labour unrest in Ghana has in recent time led to legal battles
between perpetrators and the National Labour Commission which is an administrative
body charged with settlement of industrial conflicts. Others too have led to forfeiture
of workers’ salaries and some to job loss. These battles and losses, even though not
novel, have gained so much notoriety in Ghanaian industrial relations since the
enactment of the Labour Act. 2003 (Act 651) in August 2003. This has triggered off
unusual concerns over their impact on the individual and industry. Based on field
work which involved interviews and discussions with employers and workers, and
key informants such as industrial relations and human resource practitioners, and
analyses of primary and secondary data/information, certain major findings are made.
These include the finding that labour unrest is originated by conflict between workers
and employers, and is a characteristic of the workplace (industry).
Findings also are that labour unrest leads to salary loss to workers, profit loss to
employers, revenue loss to the State, productivity loss to employers, job loss to
workers and shortage of goods and services affecting society. It also creates social
problems.
Recommendations include education of both workers and employers on the law that
regulates the employment relationship, and also attitudinal change of the social
partners in the management and resolution of industrial conflict.
