The
Union is unhappy with the government’s unilateral decision to withdraw the
military and other state security personnel from the mining concessions of
major mining companies.
Government
decided to provide security for the industry when it became the target for
indiscriminate scramble by illegal miners aided by the Chinese and other
Ghanaian collaborators.
“The
least that the GMWU expected government to do was not to add to the already
burdened industry to aggravate an already turbulent development in the mining
sector,” said statement by General Secretary of the Union, Prince William Ankrah.
The
mining industry is heavily challenged with the falling prices of gold and other
metals on the international market, coupled with other internal hindrances
culminating in the threat of over 4,000 mine workers
likely to lose their job.
The
GMWU believes government’s decision is untimely, unwelcome and would eventually
be counter-productive.
“The
Union, in our humble and considered opinion, would like to, on behalf of the
over 20,000 members who are all employees of this subsector urge government to
reconsider this policy decision,” the statement read.
The
mineworkers are appealing to the government to allow the status-quo remain
until such a time that the Chinese and
other foreign-led “galamsey” menace is eliminated or brought under
control “because our intelligence indicates that the perpetrators are lurking
around to strike again”.
This,
the Union believes will safeguard the safety of mineworkers who continue to strive
to work diligently to contribute their quota to the nation’s development.
“However,
if government sticks to its guns and remains adamant, the Union may withdraw
labour for fear of attacks and reprisals from the illegal miners on its
cherished members,” the statement noted.
Story
by Kofi Adu Domfeh
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