–As GPRTU Joins Strike Action Against Galamsey
Commuters who use public transport are set to face serious transportation challenges as the country’s largest transport union, Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has announced its participation in the 10th October industrial action.
Organized Labour on Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 declared a nationwide industrial strike as part of efforts to get the government to act decisively on the illegal mining menace. This nationwide strike action which could possibly shutdown the country is set to begin on Thursday, October 10th, 2024.
The declaration follows the failure of the government to act during the grace period offered by Organised Labour. Among other things, Organised Labour is demanding that the government declare a state of emergency on illegal mining, and evacuation of all mining equipment from forest reserves and river bodies to allow the state to clean the sector.
Many labour unions have declared support for this strike with the latest being the GPRTU.
In an exclusive interview with The High Street Journal, the Public Relations Officer of the transport union, Abbas Ibrahim Moro emphasized that given that GPRTU is part of Organised Labour, they wholeheartedly support the decision and will implement it to the letter.
He emphasized that none of their cars will move across the 16 regions in the country on the 10th of October 2024 in protest of the government’s failure to act decisively on the galamsey menace.
Abbas Ibrahim further indicated that given their large share in the transportation sector in Ghana, they are prepared to hold the entire nation ransom if that is what will make the government act right on the situation.
“GPRTU is a member of the Trades Union Congress. TUC is also part of the Organized Labour. Any decision taken by the Organised Labour, we are part of it and we support it today, tomorrow and any other day unless otherwise. As long as we remain members of the Trades Union Congress, if nothing changes, come on the 10th we all going to be part of whatever decision taken by the Organized Labour,” Abbas Ibrahim told The High Street Journal.
He emphasized that “we are going to hold the whole nation to ransom. We operate all over the 16regions and it is not going to be only GPRTU members, other minority transport operators will also join”
The PRO further appealed that the issue at hand should not be politicised since it affects the life and health of all Ghanaians
“This is about our life as Ghanaians as a whole. We are all wholeheartedly going to support and make sure our waterbodies and forest reserves are left intact so that we all,” he added pleading with those in authorities to make sure the right things are done.
With more labour unions joining this mass industrial action, the country’s economy is likely to face a shutdown as the provision of many essential services will be halted.
Meanwhile, labour analyst, Austin Gamey despite the impact ofsuch a nationwide labour strike says it is the sensible thing to do to protect lives and safeguard the deteriorating health of the nation as a result of the menace.
24 hours after the declaration of the industrial action, Organised Labour says the government is yet to reach out to them on the matter. It is therefore unclear the next line of action the government will take in the coming days.
