The National Labour Commission: mediation, arbitration and remedies
By Equipo SaplicPublished on 11/08/2026Updated on 11/08/2026
It can order reinstatement, and it is free to approach.
For guidance only
The amounts and deadlines in this guide can change by law. Always check the update date and the official sources cited below. For a specific case, consult the labour authority or a professional.
Ghana has a dedicated body for employment disputes: the National Labour Commission.
What the NLC does
It handles mediation and arbitration of labour disputes, including claims of unfair termination.
Where a claim succeeds, the NLC may award reinstatement or compensation. The power to order reinstatement is significant — it means a dismissal is not simply a matter of money.
The Labour Department
Handles complaints about breaches of Act 651, including minimum wage violations and unpaid overtime, and can pursue prosecution.
For many issues, the Labour Department is the practical first step.
Common grounds for complaint
Being paid below the National Daily Minimum Wage
Overtime required without compensation
No written contract for a longer engagement
SSNIT contributions deducted but not remitted
Redundancy carried out without notifying the Chief Labour Officer
Unfair termination
What to gather
Your written contract, or evidence that none was issued
Payslips for the relevant period
SSNIT statements
Any correspondence about your role, pay or leave
Termination or disciplinary letters
Document as you go
Records created at the time carry far more weight than reconstructions afterwards. If a leave request is refused, keep the message. If overtime goes unpaid, note the dates.
Unions and collective agreements
Collective bargaining agreements are common in unionised sectors and frequently improve on the statutory minimums, including on severance.
Where your workplace is unionised, the union is often the fastest route to resolution.
Data protection
Worth knowing: processing personal data without consent breaches the Data Protection Act, 2012. That applies to how employers handle your information too.
Frequently asked questions
What does the National Labour Commission do?
It handles mediation and arbitration of labour disputes, including unfair termination, and may award reinstatement or compensation.
Where do I complain about unpaid wages or overtime?
The Labour Department handles complaints about breaches of Act 651, including minimum wage violations and unpaid overtime, and can pursue prosecution.
What are common grounds for complaint?
Pay below the minimum wage, uncompensated overtime, no written contract, SSNIT deducted but not remitted, redundancy without notifying the Chief Labour Officer, and unfair termination.
What evidence should I gather?
Your written contract or evidence none was issued, payslips, SSNIT statements, correspondence about your role, pay or leave, and any termination or disciplinary letters.
Is the union useful?
Where the workplace is unionised, the union is often the fastest route to resolution, and collective agreements frequently improve on statutory minimums.