Floods: Don’t Force Employees to Report to Work — Interior Minister Warns Employers
Interior Minister urges employers to prioritize safety and allow remote work as floods disrupt Accra.
- Interior Minister urges employers not to force workers to report to work amid severe flooding.
- Government advises remote work as emergency services respond to widespread flood impacts in Accra
- Minister emphasizes that protecting lives should take priority over work obligations during the crisis
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has urged employers not to compel workers to report to work as severe flooding continues to affect parts of Accra, warning that no job is worth risking lives.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, June 29, the Minister appealed to businesses to allow employees to work remotely where possible as emergency services respond to widespread flooding caused by heavy rains.
He acknowledged that the scale of the disaster has stretched emergency response efforts.
“Our numbers are not enough to cover all the areas that have been affected, but we have deployed all the personnel we have, and we are doing all that we can to deal with the matter,” he said.
Mr. Mohammed-Mubarak emphasized that employers must prioritize the safety of workers rather than threaten sanctions for failing to report to work under unsafe conditions.
“But most importantly, to the employees and employers, let’s help to keep everybody alive. Employers should be mindful. Do not force people to come out, threatening that ‘if you do not come, I will not pay you or something’,” he stated.
He further urged employers to consider the long-term consequences of exposing workers to dangerous conditions, stressing that safeguarding lives must take precedence over work demands.
“Remember if they are alive, they will come back the next day to work. If you force them to come out and something happens to them, you may end up spending more on them. If they should die, you will end up spending more at their funeral than you will spend today. So, let’s understand that and get them to work remotely,” the Minister added.
His remarks come as heavy rains continue to trigger flooding across parts of Accra, disrupting transport, submerging roads, and prompting multiple safety advisories from government agencies.
The Interior Ministry has already advised residents of Accra to remain at home and work remotely where possible, warning that further rainfall could worsen the situation.
