Abstract:
Studies have found labour standard practices among construction companies to be
generally low in Ghana. This study therefore sought to assess labour standard practices
among building construction companies in the Sunyani Municipality, identify constraints
that affect same and also strategies for implementation. The study adopted descriptive
research design. The research approach was a mixed method which is a combination of
quantitative and qualitative approaches. The population consist of construction managers
for the various construction firms that work with the Sunyani Municipal Assembly.
Purposive sampling technique was used to select 50 construction managers for the study.
Questionnaire and interview guide were used to gather primary data. Quantitative data
was analyzed statistically using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version
18 while the qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The study found that
construction companies in the given jurisdiction provided clothing and first aid for
worker safety. They also kept record of payment and complied with the standard hours
of work in Ghana. However, companies did not pay wages in full and promptly. Also
work lasted six days including holidays and Saturdays whenever contracted existed.
Other findings include low levels of trade union activities among construction companies,
non-issuance of employment letters to employees, non-payment of both End of Service
benefits and Compensation Payments. Factors found to be constraining labour standard
implementation are a lack of due awareness about the labour standard subject, absence of
a sector union in the immediate environment, instability among the workforce and the
non-application of sanctions to culpable companies. Best strategies identified for
implementing labour standards include making companies indicate plan to implement
labour standards in bid documents, giving awards to companies that performed well in
upholding labour standards and empowering appropriate agencies to monitor and check
compliance among other things. Based on the findings the study recommended that
construction companies should embrace trade unionism as a subculture of company
practices, pay workers full salaries and in good time, issue workers with valid written
contract documents and also include in bid documents their plan and cost of
implementing labour standards. Also, the study recommended that there should be regular
workshops to educate stakeholders about the essence of labour standards, while
government takes steps to establish as well as empower appropriate agencies to monitor
and check compliance.
Description:
A Project Report in The Department of CONSTRUCTION AND WOOD,
FACULTY OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION, Submitted to The School of
Research and Graduate Studies, University of Education, Winneba In Partial
Fulfillment of The Requirements for The Award of Master of Technology
Education (Construction Technology) Degree.
JUNE, 2019