Galamsey: Organised labour to proceed with nationwide strike on October 10 

The  Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah has said the planned nationwide strike by Organised Labour, starting on Thursday, October 10 is on course.

Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, [Oct 7, 2024], he said unless the government takes decisive action, Organised Labour will go ahead with the nationwide strike.

"We have concluded as follows: our strike remains unchanged…, we are of the view that what the government has proposed does not adequately address our demands, and therefore our notice of strike remains unchanged." he stated. 

The demands of Organised Labour include the declaration of a state of emergency on all forms of small scale mining, the implementation of stronger regulatory measures to protect water bodies, and the revocation of L.I. 2462, which allows mining in forest reserves.

The unions have argued that the current laws are inadequate and that the government needs to adopt a more aggressive stance to ensure compliance and protect the country's natural resources.

"While the President has shown some commitment, we need more than just promises…We need action, and until we see concrete steps being taken, our position remains unchanged. We cannot sit by while our environment is destroyed, and we will not compromise on the future of our natural resources," Mr Ansah said.

The decision follows a meeting with President Akufo-Addo, during which the government reiterated its commitment to tackling illegal mining, locally known as galamsey and also asked for more time to deal with the issue.

However, the union leaders say the measures promised are insufficient to address the crisis and the broader concerns that have been raised.

Calls for dialogue and unity

Meanwhile, a faction calling itself "Concerned Members of Organised Labour"  has called on the leadership to reconsider their stance, urging further dialogue with the government.

 They believe that suspending the strike to allow more time for meaningful negotiations could yield better outcomes for both the environment and the welfare of labour members. 

They argue that a more inclusive approach would strengthen the movement's unity and ensure that all voices are heard.

"If the leadership had genuinely engaged with all members, we could have presented a stronger front," said Dr. Fokuo. 

"This is not just about the environment; it is also about how we, as union members, are treated. The decision to strike should reflect the collective will of everyone involved, not just a few leaders."