Galamsey is indeed a devastating activity which is causing this nation so much, many efforts have been put in place over a decade but the situation keeps worsening as days go by.
The intended strike action by organized labour was to put an immerse attention to it, in other to be cured by the government.
Upon further deliberations on the action taken by the organized labour, the suspension of the intended strike action might not hinged on the government’s assurance or effort to tackle the impending issue, From tv3 news this, UTAG said the labour union had been manipulated to suspend the planned strike.
UTAG disagrees to suspend the strike, besides many associations within the organized labour did not show much interest in the upcoming event and hence addressed letter to the general public and labour about their exemption. The few ones that came out were; GNAT
Second is GRNMA
Ghana medical association
And some other unions, who under closed doors didn’t release a letter.
Below is the letter released by Organized labour pertaining the strike action.
On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Organised Labour declared a nationwide strike with effect from October 10, 2024. This followed the failure of government to address our demands to halt illegal mining in and around river bodies and forest reserves as outlined in our press statement of October 11, 2024.
Subsequently, the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo met with the leadership of Organised Labour on October 3, 2024. At that meeting Government offered series of measures it intended to implement as part of efforts to combat the menace of illegal mining in the country.
At a meeting of Organised Labour on October 7, 2024, the meeting resolved that the measures announced by government were not adequate in addressing our demands and stopping the dangers posed by illegal mining. We, therefore, affirmed the strike notice and informed the Government accordingly
Yesterday, October 8, 2024, the Government team met with the Leadership of Organised Labour and Ghana Employers’ Association (GEA). The meeting discussed at length Organised Labours! response to the earlier measures announced by Government. Following this meeting Government offered enhanced and time-bound measures in respect of our demands and the fight against illegal mining. These measures include:
1. The revocation of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (L.I.2462). The President has directed the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources to submit a Memorandum for the revocation of the L.I. to Parliament when it reconvenes on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
2. The redeployment of the military and other law enforcement agencies to flush out illegal miners from water bodies and forest reserves. The military is now supporting the Forest Guards of the Forest Commission to protect the forest reserves from destruction by illegal miners and loggers.
3. Government working with the Judiciary has already established fourteen (14) dedicated courts -7 high courts and 7 circuit courts – to handle illegal mining cases.
4. Collaborating with Organised Labour and other stakeholders to fight illegal mining. Government has asked Organized Labour to nominate
representatives to be part of the stakeholders committee to fight illegal
mining in the country. 5. Government supports the call by Organised Labour for all Presidential Candidates to sign a pact committing to the fight against illegal mining.
6. Government affirmed its commitment to engage with stakeholders including Organised Labour and the Ghana Employers’ Association to bring an end to illegal mining in Ghana.
These are significant concessions that Organised Labours’ demands and threats have forced government to make towards combating illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana.
We have therefore, decided to suspend the intended strike action. We are calling on all workers to report for work on October 10, 2024, and beyond. Organised Labour will keenly monitor the implementation of these measures. Government will hear from us if it fails to do the needful.
We look forward to seeing organized labour calling all respective unions to the table with the governement to commence negotiation for 2025.