Organized Labour, the coalition representing the country’s major trade unions, has confirmed its decision to proceed with a nationwide strike set for Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Speaking to the media on Monday, October 7, the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, reiterated the union’s determination to proceed with the strike unless significant government action is taken before the deadline.
Mr. Ansah expressed dissatisfaction with President Akufo-Addo’s latest response to the unions’ demands, stating that the government’s proposals thus far have not been sufficient.
“We have concluded as follows; our strike remains unchanged. We are of the view that what the government has proposed does not adequately address our demands and therefore our notice of strike remains unchanged.”
Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC)
The TUC and other unions within Organised Labour argued that illegal mining is wreaking havoc on the nation’s environment and local communities. They insist that more drastic measures are necessary to curb the ongoing destruction and protect the future of the country’s natural resources.
According to Mr. Ansah, President Akufo-Addo’s assurances and reaffirmed commitment to addressing the illegal mining issue do not meet the expectations of the labour group, which wants immediate and concrete action.
The strike is a response to dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of their demands, particularly relating to the issue of illegal mining, also known as ‘galamsey’.
The strike follows growing concerns from the unions that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration has not taken decisive action against the illegal mining activities, which have devastated the country’s environment, waterbodies, and farmlands.
Organised Labour has been vocal in calling for the government to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining and implement sustainable, long-term solutions to combat the practice.
Divisions Emerge Within Organized Labour
Despite the leadership’s firm stance, tensions have surfaced within the broader Organised Labour coalition. Several factions, including the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG) and other groups, have voiced concerns about the lack of consultation leading up to the strike decision.
These factions, identifying themselves as “Concerned Members of Organised Labour,” argue that the leadership did not adequately engage all stakeholders before announcing the strike, leaving some unions feeling sidelined.
Dr. Solomon Fokuo, a prominent member of TUTAG, expressed these concerns in a statement to journalists in Kumasi.
“We are all against ‘galamsey’. We are against all those who are destroying our waterbodies and the environment, and we urge the government to use legal means to stop it to protect our environment.
“But the major concern is what Organised Labour is talking about. They have decided to declare a strike on October 10, but we were not consulted, and we have not been involved.”
Dr. Solomon Fokuo, Member of TUTAG
Dr. Fokuo further criticized the leadership for not showing the same level of commitment when it comes to addressing the welfare of union members. He suggested that if the leadership had directed similar energy toward securing improved conditions for their members, many of the union’s internal grievances might have been avoided.
“We don’t know where they get their energy from, and if they had used the same energy in fighting for our welfare, things would have been better,” Dr. Fokuo added, implying that the leadership’s priorities might be misplaced.
The “Concerned Members” faction called on the leadership of Organised Labour to suspend the strike and engage in further dialogue with the government.
Dr. Fokuo argued that while the fight against ‘galamsey’ is vital, the leadership’s approach to declaring the strike was rushed and did not take into account the broader needs and perspectives of all union members.
“We are calling for calm and a more inclusive process. We can still achieve our goals without the strike, but only if we take the time to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard, and we present a united front to the government.”
Dr. Solomon Fokuo, Member of TUTAG
While the leadership remains firm in its decision to proceed, the pushback from factions within the unions signals the need for deeper engagement and dialogue both within the coalition and between Organised Labour and the government.
If the strike goes ahead as planned, it is expected to have wide-reaching effects across various sectors of the economy, further amplifying the urgency for a resolution to the ongoing ‘galamsey’ crisis.
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