Union Seeks Partnership Over Plights Of Migrant Workers
The Migrant Labour General Workers Union International(MLGWUI) has called on trade unions around the world and other organisations working on migration issues to support the organisation to ensure the smooth running of its activities.
The General Secretary and Head of Education in International Relations, Comrade Justice Baako Ntarmah in an interview with PEOPLEREPORTERS said the union since her inception in 2013, has been fighting for Social Justice, Decent Work, Protection, Education, Culture and Occupational Safety and Health for Migrant Workers, Refugees, Immigrant Workers/Foreigners and Returnees and Diasporans as well as hosting Internship.
He said that the membership of the union is voluntary, adding there is a need for trade unions of like minds as well as government organisations working on migration issues to support the union for members drive.
Comrade Baako Ntarmah disclosed that the situation is compounded with the emergence of the covid-19 pandemic which brought more hardship with existing members displaced.
According to him, “Since inception, all efforts to getting Funding Grant or Sponsors for Membership Drive, Organising and Workers Educational Activities proved futile. COVID-19 pandemic also brought hardship to our union as existing members were displaced and disappeared and lack of income or dues.
“At this critical moment COVID-19 pandemic cases reduced in Africa, it is necessary to reorganising. Plans are mapped up but our efforts to find means in paying for Organisers to work daily by organising new and more members”.
He said migrant workers are currently reaching out to the union for assistance, stressing that the process is slow due to the paucity of funds.
READ ALSO:Protect Migrant Workers, Labour Tells Government, Employers
“Currently, many Migrants are contacting MLGWUI in need of social cases assistance, labour and employment relations support and grievances cases for redress not only because they cannot address their grievances to embassies but because embassies cannot handle employee relations issues.
“So MLGWUI has become a centre for Africa Migrant Workers to channel their employment relations and grievances to reduce irregular labour migration and untimely implications or deportation or death as well as hosting more interns who sometimes ended decent work for them in Ghana.
“I, therefore, call for partnership and funding support to enable us to work for the protection of migrant workers.