Organised labour to proceed with nationwide strike over galamsey

Organised Labour has confirmed its decision to go on with a nationwide strike scheduled for October 10, 2024. According to the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress, Joshua Ansah, the strike intends to draw attention to the detrimental impact of illegal mining activities popularly known as galamsey and demand swift intervention from the government to combat the menace.

In a video shared on the Facebook page of myjoyonline.com on Monday, October 7, 2024, he further dismissed claims that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo requested additional time to tackle the situation.

"The president has never requested more time. I don't know where this is coming from. We said if nothing is done by October 10, 2024, we will embark on a nationwide strike, so if nothing happens, we will embark on a nationwide strike," he explained.

Joshua Ansah provided an overview of the recent meeting between Organised Labour and the president.

"It is very important to know the detailed outcome of our meeting. What we came out is that this government will collaborate with stakeholders and take steps when Parliament recovenes to revoke the mining license, which is the mining and forest regulation 2023. LI 2462.

"Again, the government will ramp up activities of mining in water bodies and forest areas. Then the Attorney-General will collaborate with the police for swift abdication of illegal miners. Then the government supports the call for all presidential candidates to sign a pact committing against illegal mining and calls for all stakeholders to join the fight," he noted.

On October 3, 2024, Akufo-Addo appealed to Organised Labour to reconsider its planned strike, emphasising his commitment to addressing their concerns regarding illegal mining, which is wreaking havoc on the environment.

The appeal followed a closed-door meeting on Thursday, October 3, with union leaders, where the urgent need for decisive action against illegal mining was discussed.

JKB/ ADG

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