Labour unrest could scare investors – Austin Gamey warns

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Labour expert, Austin Gamey, has cautioned that unresolved labour disputes in Ghana could discourage potential investors, urging swift action to resolve the standoff between the government and the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG).His warning follows CLOGSAG’s declaration of a nationwide strike, directing all its members across the Civil Service and Local Government Service to stay at home effective Monday, March 9, 2026, until further notice.According to Mr Gamey, prolonged industrial unrest creates uncertainty within the economy and can push investors to look elsewhere, ultimately affecting job creation and economic growth.Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story, he warned that continued labour unrest could project an image of instability, making the country less attractive to investors who are looking for predictable and stable environments to commit their resources.“Who can invest in a country that is chaotic when you are deliberately denying yourself the opportunity of investment to enable you to have your people employed?” he questioned.“We are looking for employment for our sisters and brothers and children and grandchildren, and every investment portfolio is moving towards another direction,” he said, warning that unresolved tensions could spark wider economic challenges.He stressed that the responsibility to address the impasse lies primarily with the appropriate public sector authorities and labour regulators, particularly the National Labour Commission.Mr Gamey called for immediate intervention by the Office of the Head of Civil Service and the leadership of the local government service, urging them to formally engage the Labour Commission to resolve the dispute without delay.“I expect the National Labour Commission to take immediate action. I expect the head of the Office of Civil Service and the head of the local government, not the president, to act on this,” he stated.He suggested that the relevant authorities should urgently convene all parties involved and hold extended negotiations until a solution is reached.“They should walk straight to the Labour Commission so that all of them can be summoned right now to have a meeting till midnight and have the matter resolved,” he added.