The Policy Objectives pursued by the Ministry are stipulated in the National Medium Term Development Policy Framework (NMTDPF) for the period 2014 – 2017. These Policy objectives form the basis for the medium-term programmes being implemented by the Ministry.

The sector Policy Objectives are as follows:

• To promote the goal of full employment in the national economy and to enable all men and women who are available and willing to work, to attain a secured and sustainable livelihood through freely chosen employment and work;
• To secure improvement in the productivity of the labour force in order to improve private sector competitiveness and enhance employability to the extent that labour is afforded quality and well-remunerated employment consistent with productivity;
• To provide the fullest possible opportunity to each worker to qualify for, and to use his/her skills and endowments in a job for which he/she is well-suited, in a non-discriminatory manner;
• To safeguard the basic rights and interests of workers and, to that end, promote respect for relevant International Labour Standards, including those on Forced Labour, Freedom of Association, the Right to Organise and Bargain Collectively, the Principle of Non-Discrimination and Equality of Treatment and Opportunities; and elimination of the worst forms of Child Labour;
• To secure maximum cooperation from, and participation by, the Ghana Employers’ Association (GEA), Organised Labour (OL) and other interested parties in decisions relating to national employment policy, so as to ensure industrial peace and harmony and minimize job losses through labour unrests;
• To stimulate economic growth and development, eradicate poverty and improve the standard of living by minimizing the rates of unemployment and under-employment, and optimizing the utilization of human capital;
• To establish a Management Information System for the sector.

Functions of the Ministry

Section 13 of the Civil Service Act 1993 (PNDCL 327) states the following:

“A Ministry shall:

(a) Initiate and formulate policies, taking into account the needs and aspirations of the people;

(b) Undertake development planning in consultation with the National Development Planning Commission; and

(c) Co-ordinate, monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the performance of the Sector”

Based on the above framework the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations performs the following specific functions:

• Initiate, formulate and coordinate sector policies and programmes, as well as schemes to ensure sustainable accelerated employment generation and human capital development;
• Develop strategies and mechanisms to ensure and promote industrial peace and harmony;
• Develop and periodically review all legal and policy instruments for the sector;
• Ensure the development and review of appropriate information management systems to facilitate the availability of timely, relevant and accurate employment and labour statistics;
• Coordinate all national employment initiatives with the collaboration of relevant stakeholders of the economy;
• Ensure the monitoring and evaluation of sector policies, programmes and projects in relation to gainful employment-generation and the promotion of industrial harmony;
• Promote best modern management practices, systems and procedures in all sectors of the economy to enhance labour productivity;
• Ensure fair and equitable wages and salaries for employees in all sectors of the economy;
• Ensure the provision of employable skills and apprenticeship particularly to the youth through vocational and technical training at all levels, to promote decent and sustainable jobs;
• Ensure occupational safety and health for all workers in both the formal and informal sectors;
• Ensure all work places conform to labour laws though labour inspection; and
• Facilitate the development of vibrant co-operatives, medium and small-scale enterprises for employment generation and poverty reduction.