The Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU-Ghana) has made a strong call to employers across the country to end gender-based employment discrimination and wage disparity against women.

Speaking at the 6th National Women’s Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference on Tuesday, July 22, the leadership of the union expressed deep concern over the persistent discrimination women face in workplaces.

The union condemned the long-standing perception that women are less reliable employees due to maternity and family responsibilities, an assumption it described as “unfair and unjust.”

Reaffirming the union’s commitment to gender justice, the General Secretary of the union, Morgan Ayawine, stressed that women must never be disadvantaged for their biological roles.

“We therefore use this platform to strongly urge all employers who indulge in gender-based employment discrimination and wage disparity to desist immediately, and to recognise and respect the full and equal value of women in the workforce. ICU-Ghana, as a gender-friendly institution that upholds justice and equity for all, reaffirms its commitment to promoting laws and best practices that support the fair recruitment and retention of women in all sectors,” he said.

He reminded employers that Ghana’s Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), specifically under Section 68, enforces the principle of “Equal Pay for Equal Work” as championed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
ICU-Ghana further called on stakeholders to support the swift ratification of the Affirmative Action Bill, recently passed by Parliament, as a step towards ensuring fairness and greater participation of women in leadership and decision-making roles.

The conference also served as a platform for the union’s Women’s Wing to review its work over the past four years and reconstitute its leadership for the next term.

The Head of Youth and Gender Desk of ICU Ghana, Esinam Afua Poku, reaffirmed the union’s focus on capacity-building, leadership development, policy advocacy, and collaboration with key stakeholders.