Government says new body will improve worker protections, policy participation and recycling sector integration
By Bunmi Yekini
Ghana on Monday launched its first national union for informal waste workers, creating a platform to represent thousands of waste pickers and recyclers as the government seeks to strengthen the country’s circular economy and improve conditions for workers in the informal sector.
The union, unveiled at a ceremony in Accra organised by the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) and its partners, brings together waste worker representatives from all 16 regions of Ghana.
The launch follows a five-year effort by GAYO to organise informal waste workers, beginning with a single cooperative and expanding into a nationwide network.
Government officials and organisers said the union would provide informal waste workers with a collective voice to engage policymakers, municipalities, industry and development partners on issues including occupational health and safety, market access, social protection and labour rights.
Ghana’s Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, said the union’s establishment was consistent with the country’s Labour Act 2003 and international labour conventions guaranteeing freedom of association.
“The formation of the National Informal Waste Worker Union is therefore a lawful exercise of constitutional and statutory underpinnings, and Government fully recognizes this important development,” Pelpuo said, pledging government support for safer workplaces, social dialogue and more inclusive employment opportunities for informal waste workers.
Waste pickers play a critical role in recovering recyclable materials, reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills and supplying industries with secondary raw materials, yet many operate without formal recognition or access to labour protections.
Richard Matey, speaking on behalf of GAYO, described the launch as the result of years of organising informal workers and building partnerships.
“Recognition requires organization. Organization requires representation. Representation requires partnerships,” he said, adding that the next phase would focus on securing legal recognition, expanding municipal collaboration and improving market opportunities for members.
Organisers said the union’s immediate priorities include strengthening its institutional capacity, expanding partnerships with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, improving access to occupational health and social protection programmes, and integrating informal waste workers into Ghana’s Extended Producer Responsibility framework.
The initiative received financial support from the UMI Fund, The Earthshot Prize, Global Methane Hub and the Clean Air Fund, alongside technical support from government agencies, research institutions, recycling companies and civil society organisations.
GAYO, a pan-African youth-led climate organisation, said it would continue working with public and private sector partners to formalise the role of informal waste workers and promote inclusive, zero-waste solutions across Ghana.