The possibilities for collective organization of informal port workers in Tema, Ghana

Abstract:
This book chapter looks at collective organising of subcontracted informal port workers in Tema harbour, Ghana. The casual workers employed by the two largest labour subcontractors have formed their own local unions, which are affiliated to the Maritime and Dockers Union (MDU). The local unions do collective bargaining with the employers, even though the employees do not have formal labour contracts, and the legal status of the employees is not protected in the labour act. The union then informs the employees of basic wages, overtime rates and transport allowances through notice boards. The situation is complicated by the fact that MDU is the majority shareholder in the largest labour subcontractor, Ghana Dock Labour Company.