– Suspends Nationwide Anti-Galamsey Strike
Government can now heave a sigh of relief as Organised Labour has announced that it has suspended its intended nationwide industrial action which threatened to shut down the entire country, although the leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) are not happy with the decision announced by the leadership of Organised Labour.
The strike action which was declared on October 1, 2024, was affirmed this week despite a meeting with President Akufo-Addo last week.
Despite the concessions made by the government, Organised Labour was demanding that the government ban and declare a state of emergency on all forms of illegal mining to enable the state to sanitise the system. This call was rather opposed by the President.
But in a crunch meeting today, October 9, 2024, Organised Labour considered all the new measures taken by the government such as the revocation of the LI 2462 which allowed mining in forest reserves, the redeployment of the security forces to flush out illegal miners, and establishment of 14 dedicated court to fast-track prosecution of suspected galamsey offenders among others.
The labour front says these measures taken by the government are significant hence the decision to suspend the nationwide strike action.
“These are significant concessions that Organised Labour’s and threats have forced the government to make towards combating illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana,” parts of their statement read.
Organised Labour, therefore, declared that “We have therefore decided to suspend the intended strike action. We are calling on all workers to report for work on October 10, 2024 and beyond.
However, the labour front says they will keenly monitor the implementation of these measures and will do the needful if the government fails to honour its promise.
