GHABA &ICU to ensure welfare of informal sector employees

GHABA &ICU to ensure welfare of informal sector employees

The Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association (GHABA) in affiliation with the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU), have outlined some major plans they will embark on to ensure the welfare of hairdressers and barbers at the regional, district and local levels.

The two associations in an interview revealed a plan of completing a training school that will award participants with National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) certificates to improve the standard of training, and bring growth in trade as well as develop skills.

The ICU also mentioned plans of implementing a Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) fund to assist informal sector workers (especially hairdressers and barbers) to improve their standard of living when they grow old.

The General Secretary of the ICU, Mr. Solomon Kotei, told the paper the training school was relevant to assist the local hairdressers and beauticians in knowing what they can do in the face of development in their world of work.

He emphasized that the ICU will support GHABA to achieve its goals and help to elevate the economic conditions of the grass root.

Mr. Kotei said a pilot project was also underway to help employers in the informal sector have access to SSNIT funds. He noted that even though the project commenced some years back, employers were not able to sustain it because they do not have fixed income.

“They do not have a guaranteed income. If you take the average life of a saloon owner; we know that on some days profits are good and on other days it could be bad. Since employers had to make payments themselves, it was very difficult”, he stressed.

However, the General Secretary was pleased to announce that SSNIT as of today is dealing with the ICU, to find a more complete and suitable means to make the pension life of the informal sector workers (especially beauticians and barbers) much easier.

GHABA has over the years organized various trainings and thus deserves this support to help local businesses especially beauticians thrive in times of difficulties.

National President of GHABA, Ms. Tina Offei Yirenkyi also confirmed that plans were ongoing in building the academy for beauticians. However, she noted that insufficient fund and current economic situations have made it difficult for the association to complete the task at hand.

She noted that since GHABA is a predominantly women group, all members must come together and encourage each other in other to sustain businesses at the local, district and regional levels.

Ms. Yirenkyi noted that GHABA is privileged to be affiliated to the ICU; adding that the association has over the years ensured that ethical rules of the profession are seriously adhered to through constant training and support from the ICU.

It is noted that out of a total of almost 12 thousand active members, less than two thousand people have benefited from the Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) distributed by GHABA. It is confirmed that the association is still distributing these and many more to its members in the regions and districts.