The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union (GMWU) has issued a strong call to mining firms in the country to halt the outsourcing of core mining operations, warning that the practice is eroding job security, worsening working conditions, and threatening the long-term stability of the sector.
Speaking at the Union’s first-half National Executive Council meeting held at the Gold Fields Akoon Clubhouse in Tarkwa, Deputy General Secretary Jerry Andoh, speaking on behalf of the General Secretary, said the growing trend of farming out key mining activities under the guise of local content participation had created “lower levels of employment protection, high degrees of uncertainty and higher risks” for workers.
“It is trite knowledge that there are certain aspects of the mining business that are considered ancillary or non-core and can generally be farmed out, but certainly not the core business for which a company is registered to perform,” Gbana stated. “Unfortunately, under the guise of local content, these exploitative strategies continue to be pursued with impunity.”
The Union accused some multinational mining companies of awarding core contracts to local entities at “cut-throat” rates, making it difficult for them to pay fair wages and meet statutory obligations to workers. “The current phenomenon where aspects of the mining business are farmed out at the least opportunity simply on the back of profit maximization must stop,” the General Secretary warned.
GMWU also urged government to step in with favourable policies that protect local contractors while ensuring that contracts are fair and sustainable. “It is particularly important for Government to pay attention because of the capital-intensive nature of mining… and the high cost of credit in Ghana for most of these local entities,” Gbana stressed.
The speech also touched on the current gold boom, with prices soaring above $3,000 per ounce this year, noting that the windfall must reflect in better pay and conditions for workers. “We expect that mining companies would take very good care of workers, our members, even as they invest in modern infrastructure and expand existing ones,” Gbana said.
The Union pledged to continue engaging with government, mining firms, and regulatory agencies to push for decent and sustainable jobs in the sector.
