Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has issued a strong protest against the Trades Union Congress (TUC), accusing the labour umbrella body of unilateral conduct and marginalisation during the 2025 May Day Parade held in Accra.
In a letter addressed to the Secretary-General of the TUC, Dr. Joshua Ansah, and signed by GFL Secretary-General Abraham Koomson, the federation expressed “strong disapproval and disappointment” over what it described as a deliberate sidelining of its leadership and perspectives during the national labour celebration.
According to the GFL, speeches delivered by TUC officials during the May Day event failed to reflect the collective concerns of all organised labour, with the federation’s contributions conspicuously missing.
“As a key player in the labour movement, GFL’s input and concerns were absent from the address, a situation we find deeply offensive and unacceptable,” the statement read.
The GFL also criticised the TUC’s public comments regarding an ongoing controversy involving the Chief Justice, stating that no prior consultation had occurred among organised labour leadership on the matter.
It described the pronouncements as “premature, presumptuous, and inconsistent with the principles of due process.”
On the issue of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, the GFL acknowledged its commitment to the national campaign against the menace but insisted that any official stance must be reached through collective deliberation.
The federation warned that unilateral statements on politically sensitive issues could damage the credibility of labour advocacy and be misconstrued as partisan.
Furthermore, the GFL decried its exclusion from the official programme of the event, particularly the opportunity to deliver a solidarity message, adding that the ceremony was overwhelmingly dominated by TUC officers.
It described the event as lacking coordination and inclusiveness.
Calling for immediate corrective action, the GFL demanded an urgent meeting of the interim Organised Labour Leadership before the end of May 2025.
The meeting, it said, should address the status of the currently stalled Organised Labour structures and chart a path for more transparent and collaborative engagement among all stakeholders.
While reaffirming its commitment to unity within the labour movement, the GFL stressed that “respect, consultation, and transparency must guide our collective efforts.”
-Classfmonline
