Organised Labour on Wednesday suspended the planned strike scheduled on October 10 after reaching an agreement with the government.
In a press briefing addressed by Mr. Joshua Ansah, Secretary General, Trade Union Congress, it called on all workers to report for work on Thursday October 10, 2024.
He said the decision to suspend the strike was due to government’s resolve to address the illegal mining(galamsey) menace in the country.
The government’s commitments, according to him, included the revocation of the Legislative Instrument(L.I.)2462, the redeployment of the military and other law enforcement agencies, collaborating with Organised Labour and Presidential Candidates to sign a pact.
On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Organised Labour, declared a nationwide strike with effect from October 10, 2024.
This followed the failure of government to address the demands of the labour union to halt illegal mining in and around river bodies and forest reserves as outlined in our press statement of October 11, 2024.
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ubsequently, the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo met with the leadership of Organised Labour on October 3, 2024.
At that meeting, the Government offered series of measures it intended to implement as part of efforts to combat the menace of illegal mining in the country.
At a meeting of Organised Labour on October 7, 2024, the meeting resolved that the measures announced by government were not adequate in addressing our demands and stopping illegal mining.
At a meeting convened by the Organised Labour, Leaders of the respective unions deliberated on whether to proceed with the previously announced nationwide strike action scheduled for October 10th.
Heads of Unions were seen exiting the emergency meeting in obvious disagreement, fiercely debating whether to call off or proceed with planned strike, highlighting the deeply divided opinions within the Organised Labour brought about by illegal mining.
Mr. Ansah assured the union that Organised Labour will keenly monitor the implementati
on of the proposed measures of the Government.
Professor Ransford Gyampo, President, University Teachers Association of Ghana and University of Ghana Chapter, vehemently opposed the decision to suspend the strike.
He accused the heads of the union of lack of broader consultation to decide on the decision to suspend the strike, saying the heads of unions should have engaged prior to the meeting.
Source: Ghana News Agency