Organised Labour has decided to suspend its planned nationwide strike against illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.
This decision came after a series of high-level discussions with government officials aimed at addressing the urgent issue of illegal mining activities that have affected various regions of the country.
Organised Labour acknowledged that the government has made significant progress, including the enhancement of the Operational Halt initiative led by the Ghana Armed Forces to tackle illegal mining in forest reserves.
In a media briefing in Accra on Wednesday, Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress, explained that the decision was made to allow Labour to observe how the government implements these measures.
He stated, “Organised Labour’s demands and threats have compelled the government to take action against illegal mining in Ghana. Therefore, we have decided to suspend the planned strike action.
We call on all workers to report for duty on October 10, 2024, and beyond. Organised Labour will closely monitor the implementation of the government’s measures, and we will voice our concerns if necessary.”
The strike, originally set to begin on Thursday, October 10, 2024, aimed to pressure the government into taking decisive action against the galamsey crisis.
While there was broad support from key unions such as the Public Utility Workers Union and the General Agricultural Workers Union, both the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) chose to distance themselves from the planned industrial action, opting to continue providing essential healthcare services.
