Organized Labor postponed its nationwide indefinite strike that was scheduled to begin today in an effort to force the government to impose a state of emergency on illicit mining (galamsey), among other demands.
The choice was made in response to a meeting between the government and organized labor, when President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo proposed more aggressive measures to strengthen the defense against the threat.
Following an emergency meeting by labor unions yesterday, Joshua Ansah, the Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), revealed this to the media and asked all employees to report for work today.
“Organised Labour will keenly monitor the implementation of these measures. The government will hear from us if it fails to do the needful,” he declared.
The announcement marked the culmination of a string of distancing remarks from various unions and associations, such as the Ghana Medical Association, and warnings from some companies to discipline employees who observe the walkout by staying at home.
The nearly two-hour emergency meeting that took place behind closed doors was marked by tense debates about what high-ranking participants in the meeting believed to be the discontent of certain union representatives regarding the suspension of the strike.
Organized Labor demanded that L.I. 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves, be repealed and that stricter regulations be put in place to safeguard water bodies.
During the discussion, Mr. Ansah stated that the government had promised to implement more effective and time-bound measures to strengthen the fight against illegal mining, including working with organized labor and other stakeholders.
He continued, “The government has asked organised labour to nominate representatives to be part of the stakeholders committee to fight illegal mining in the country,”
According to Mr. Ansah, the government agreed with organized labor’s demand that all presidential candidates pledge to combat illicit mining by signing a pledge.
In order to put a stop to illicit mining in Ghana, he said, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders including organized labor and the Ghana Employers’ Association.
According to the Secretary General, the government has already set up 14 special tribunals to deal with unlawful mining in cooperation with the legal system.
“The redeployment of 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 miner and loggers,” he stated.
When Parliament reconvenes on October 15, 2024, he stated, the President would present a memorandum to the legislature regarding the repeal of the Environment Protection (Mining on Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (L.I 2462).
Recall that on October 1, organized labor announced a statewide strike that would take effect on October 10 in response to the government’s refusal to accede to their requests that illicit mining be stopped in and around river basins and forest areas.
The Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Organized Labour, and numerous other organizations and groups have demanded that illegal mining operations cease their wanton damage of the environment and water bodies.
Source: newsthemegh.com