Organised Labour has suspended its planned nationwide strike action against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
The decision was made following a series of high-level discussions with government officials aimed at addressing the pressing issue of illegal mining activities that have plagued various regions of the country.
Organised Labour noted that the government has taken considerable steps, including ramping up the Operational Halt initiative, led by the Ghana Armed Forces, to combat illegal mining activities in forest reserves
In a media briefing in Accra on Wednesday, the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress, Joshua Ansah, explained that the decision was made to allow Labour to observe the government’s implementation of these measures.
He added that “Organised Labour’s demands and threats have forced government to make efforts towards combatting illegal mining in Ghana. Organised Labour has therefore decided to suspend the intended strike action. We are calling all workers to report for work on 10th of October 2024 and beyond. Organised Labour will keenly monitor the implementation of these measures which government has made, and government will hear from us if it fails to do the needful.”
The strike, which was set to commence on Thursday, October 10, 2024, was intended to compel the government to take decisive action against the galamsey menace.
Despite widespread support from key unions, including the Public Utility Workers Union and the General Agricultural Workers Union, the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) had distanced themselves from the industrial action, opting instead to continue providing essential healthcare services.
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