The Migrant Labour General Workers' Union International (MLGWUI), has called on all unskilled migrant workers in Ghana, to insist on the payment of the approved minimum wage from January, 2022.

In a statement issued by the General Secretary of the group, Justice Baako Ntarmah, the MLGWUI impressed upon all workers to insist on appropriate treatment from their employers in the coming year.

"All unskilled migrant workers in Ghana must insist on their national daily minimum wage of GHS13.35 effective date 1st January, 2022 which is eight percent (8%) over the figure of GHS12.35 as agreed by the National Tripartite Committee on 3rd June, 2021. Migrant workers need recognition in society and work places, as essential sustainers of enterprises or companies," the statement said.

The statement from the MLGWUI comes ahead of this year's International Migrants Day, scheduled for Saturday, December 18, 2021.

The theme for this year's celebration is "Harnessing the Potential of Human Mobility". Observed by the United Nations, the Day seeks to highlight the challenges and difficulties of international migration.

As part of his admonition to migrant workers, the General Secretary of MLGWUI, Comrade Ntarmah, who also doubles as the Head of Education in International Relations, charged migrant workers to brace themselves to recover the loses and inconveniences, imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, the pandemic has dealt a big blow to migrant workers, and therefore African leaders and business owners must work to assist affected migrants who have had to bear the brunt of the pandemic.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has made a devastating impact on migrant workers specially precarious or casual low wage sector. Dear migrant workers, taking back what is ours is now; I believe global labour shortage and poor treatment of migrant workers exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic should be a wake up call for African leaders and employers to treat migrant workers fairly as essential workers with dignity".

The MLGWUI also lauded the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative and highlighted the possible benefits it could give to migrant workers. In this regard, the group urged all relevant stakeholders to ensure that labour migration is well handled in the wake of the AfCFTA agreement.

"The formation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a sign of creating job opportunities in the labour market for African Migrant Workers to seek employment within/among their member countries without fear or favour.

Therefore it is the obligation of AfCFTA and labour organisations like MLGWUI to ensure that labour migration and regional integration is harnessed with potential human mobility by opened borders/frontiers to have peaceful and harmonious relationship between Member States and Border Security in collaboration with labour organisations to reduce unethical recruitments and irregular labour migration outside the continent," the statement said.