John Yewoh Forchu, Inspector General, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, talks on the tendency by some workers to abandon their jobs.

What happens when workers are irregularly absent from their duty posts?

Working hours are regulated depending on the branch of activities. Generally, it is 40 hours a week but in some specific professions such as health or security domains, it could be more. In every company, there is an internal regulation which stipulates the conditions for any absence. Any absence out of the rules is considered irregular presence and some people, being absent from work for two days can be dismissed because the employer considers that you have resigned.

Irregular absence affects production and productivity. Work is organised in such a way that enables an enterprise to produce. If one worker is absent from a chain of workers that have to work in an agricultural field, the required output and profits will not be achieved. The profit margins depend on productivity and when workers are irregularly present; this affects productivity and even the revenue of the enterprise. As such the employer has to take an immediate action to replace such a worker.

Must such a worker be dismissed?

It all depends on the internal regulation of the enterprise. There are workers who could be absent for valuable reasons but might not be in a position to communicate with his/her employer. Some workers may have other reasons which require the employer to reduce the sanction by giving a warning letter or a suspension letter.

But if it is a recurrent issue that concerns one or more employees, the employer has the right to dismiss such workers. If a worker with a contract of a specific duration is involved in irregular absence, the employer can dismiss such a worker without benefits and even drag him/her to court if he thinks such an employer has charges to pay. In such a situation, the Labour Inspector will examine the case and determine who should pay who.