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The Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), says it is investigating recent cases in which expatriate employers unjustifiably abuse their Ghanaian employees.

An Italian Supervisor, Manlio Maggiorotto, chained a Ghanaian employee to a container for allegedly loitering around during working hours days.

This was shortly after a Korean employer slapped another Ghanaian with a piece of hot pizza at Peter Pan restaurant in Accra.

Reacting to these developments, the Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ, Joseph Whittal, said the commission is investigating these cases and will soon come out with its findings.

He further asked those employers to desist from such acts.

“…. While as a country we are interested in getting investments into the country, the investors must take into consideration the fact that they are coming to operate under a regime of law where human rights of every person, not only Ghanaians is guaranteed by the constitution and so if you treat anybody in a manner as if he is an animal, the laws of Ghana will certainly be triggered…”

Mr. Whittal also refuted claims that most expatriates are often left off the hook because they are often perceived to be working in the interest of Ghanaians.

“If the evidence exist and people have been maltreated in a certain way they should be able to report this case and we will certainly investigate and come out with strong recommendation not only to the management company in Ghana but external companies.”

TUC demands justice

A few days ago the Trades Union Congress (TUC) demanded justice for Ghanaian employees who had been abused by their employers.

The TUC in a statement described the act as dehumanizing and ordered the Managing Director of the company, William Moss, to produce the supervisor who is said to have fled the country for fear of being prosecuted.

“The chaining and restriction of the movement of Comrade Sanou is not only a breach of his fundamental right to movement but goes to the core of his basic right to humane and dignified treatment, as guaranteed by the Ghana Constitution

“For an employer to have the temerity in today’s Ghana to chain a Ghanaian worker for any reason whatsoever is unconscionable and we totally and outrightly condemn it. We cannot countenance such dehumanizing conduct in the world of work,” the TUC said.