Organised Labour has declared a nationwide strike beginning on Thursday, October 10, 2024, in response to the government’s failure to address the illegal mining (galamsey) crisis.
The industrial action comes as part of the unions’ demands for an outright ban on all forms of small-scale mining, which they argue is crucial to curbing environmental degradation caused by illegal mining activities across the country.
The decision to strike followed a high-stakes meeting held by the unions on October 1, 2024.
This action comes after the labour unions gave the government a September 30 deadline to declare a state of emergency over the galamsey menace. In their October 1 statement, Organised Labour expressed frustration with the government’s inaction.
“Following the expiration of our deadline, and the failure of government to meet our demands on illegal mining (galamsey), Organised Labour has decided to declare a nationwide strike with effect from October 10, 2024,” the statement read.
The strike will see workers across various sectors staying at home in solidarity with the unions’ call.
The strike has been endorsed by key labour leaders, including Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Isaac Bampoe Addo, Chairman of Forum, and Kenneth Koomson, Deputy Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour.
They have urged workers to remain at home from October 10 until the government meets their demands.
