Labour Expert Austin Gamey says work from home will be the new routine for a lot of companies post-Covid-19.
Due to the outbreak of the pandemic in the country, companies allowed their workers to work from home to help decongest their workplaces.
Some analysts believe that the step by the companies will continue even after the pandemic.
Austin Gamey said this will help save cost and also reduce crowd at the workplaces because gathering at offices may not be feasible again after the pandemic.
“It is possible for a number of people to come from home both to reduce cost and also to ensure that they do not overburden themselves and so many gathering at workplace may not be feasible again so distancing will not be lowered today indeed this you can find in our labour Act already in Section 119 of the Act which talks about safety and health of working people.”
Employers hint of possible layoffs over Covid-19
Some employers have hinted that they might be forced to lay off workers if the Covid-19 does no end anytime soon.
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced many companies to allow staff to stay at home. This has greatly affected the finances of many businesses.
As part of ways to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 government has also promised some stimulus packages for businesses through the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme yet to be approved by parliament.
Chief Executive of the Ghana Employers Association Alex Frimpong in a radio interview said they are engaging workers unions to find ways of dealing with the situation.
According to him, everybody will understand that issues of layoffs are not matters that are on the table for any business but the circumstances may force job cuts.
” In times like this we are likely to engage the unions and you will expect a lot of challenges on the way but I’m sure they also realised that these are matters that were not within the contemplation of any business. Under these circumstances I’m sure and in that context, reasonableness will prevail and we should be able to strike a balance. The last thing any business will want to do is to lay off workers so let’s see how it goes if there is income that releases the businesses as we expect I’m sure that will be the last resort…”
