NLC Inaugurates Press Corps to Boost Public Awareness of Labour Laws

The National Labour Commission (NLC) has inaugurated its Press Corps as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration with the media and deepen public understanding of Ghana’s labour laws and dispute resolution processes. The inauguration, held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, forms part of the commission’s strategy to increase awareness of its mandate while promoting responsible reporting on labour and industrial relations issues. Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission, Dr Bernice Welbeck, described the establishment of the Press Corps as a significant milestone in sustaining industrial peace through effective public education. She said the partnership with the media would play a critical role in sensitising Ghanaians on the Labour Act and educating workers and employers on the lawful procedures for resolving workplace disputes. “Today’s assignment is very important as well as strategic because it is a move to seek effective collaboration with the media in sensitising the Ghanaian public on the labour law and educating working people on procedures for dispute resolution,” she said. Dr Welbeck stressed that the commission’s primary responsibility is to ensure justice for both employers and employees rather than to find fault with either party. “Our role is to promote effective labour-management cooperation so that productivity will thrive and our economy will develop,” she stated. She clarified that while the commission assists parties in resolving disputes through mediation and adjudication, it does not participate in negotiating conditions of service between employers and workers. According to her, the NLC only intervenes when there is an allegation that an agreed condition of service has been breached, assessing the matter against the provisions of the law. Dr Welbeck also reminded workers and employers of the legal procedures governing industrial action, explaining that any intended strike must be preceded by a seven-day notice addressed to both the employer and the National Labour Commission. She further assured workers that the law protects employees from victimisation for seeking redress through the commission. “The mere fact that I bring a case against my employer does not warrant victimisation or termination. If it is established that an employee has been victimised for lodging a complaint, that amounts to unfair treatment under the law,” she said. The inauguration concluded with an interactive session during which members of the newly established Press Corps engaged officials of the commission on emerging labour issues, sought clarification on aspects of labour legislation, and explored ways of strengthening collaboration between the media and the commission in promoting industrial harmony.