The Trades Union Congress (TUC) of Ghana has renewed its call for decisive action to address gender pay inequities as the world observes International Equal Pay Day today.
The day is dedicated to raising awareness of the ongoing struggle for equal pay for work of equal value, with a particular focus on closing the gender pay gap that disproportionately affects women worldwide.
In a statement released to mark the occasion, the TUC highlighted the deep-rooted societal structures that continue to fuel wage disparities and limit employment opportunities for women in Ghana.
According to the union, these challenges include occupational segregation and a lack of investment in women’s education, which have kept many women from leadership roles and consigned them to low-paying jobs.
The TUC also pointed to the “motherhood penalty,” noting that women with childbearing responsibilities often face additional barriers to career advancement and are subjected to greater scrutiny in the workplace.
As part of its demands, the TUC is urging the government to ratify International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 190 and 183, which address violence and harassment in the workplace and provide maternity protection, respectively.
The union also called for the swift implementation of the recently passed Affirmative Action Act, which seeks to ensure equal access to opportunities and representation for women in all sectors.
Furthermore, the TUC has called for national legislation promoting pay transparency and penalizing discriminatory practices to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work.
In its statement, the TUC celebrated the contributions of working women across Ghana, reaffirming its commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace and promoting gender equity.
The union emphasized that Ghanaian society will thrive when all its members have equal opportunities, and it remains committed to advocating for policies that will help eliminate the gender pay gap.
As International Equal Pay Day is observed, the TUC urged all stakeholders to work towards a future where gender-based wage disparities are eradicated, ensuring that every woman in Ghana can achieve her full potential.