Employment contracts in Ghana: what to include
The written statement the Labour Act requires, plus leave, hours and maternity rights every employer should know.
· 1 min read
The Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) requires employers to give workers engaged for six months or more a written statement of the main terms of employment within two months of starting.
The written statement
It should cover the parties, the job, the start date, pay and how it is paid, hours of work, leave, notice, and any disciplinary rules.
Hours and overtime
Normal hours are generally eight a day and 40 a week. Work beyond that is overtime and must be paid as agreed.
Maternity rights
A woman worker is entitled to at least 12 weeks of maternity leave on full pay, and may not be dismissed because of pregnancy.
Social security
Employers must register workers and pay contributions to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust.
Sources
- Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651)
- National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766)
- GhaLII, Ghana Legal Information Institute (texts of Ghanaian statutes and judgments)
This article is general information about Ghanaian law, not legal advice. Speak to a lawyer about your own situation.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Please contact us about your own situation.
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