The Causes and Impact of Labour Unrest on some Selected Organizations in Accra

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.