Organized Labour suspends ‘Galamsey strike’ after GNAT staged walkout

The Organized Labour has suspended its nationwide industrial action previously scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2024, to register its displeasure over the government’s inability to ban all forms of mining in forest reserves, among other measures.

This comes after the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and other unions staged a walkout from Organized Labour’s crucial meeting on their move to embark on a nationwide strike over the issue of Galamsey.

The Labour’s decision to suspend the strike action was made during an emergency meeting held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, where union leaders assessed the situation and agreed to call off the industrial action.

Media reports say the Organised Labour move to suspend the Thursday, October 10, 2024, nationwide strike was taken following assurances from the central government to tackle illegal mining commonly known as Galamsey.

In a media briefing, the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress, Joshua Ansah, explained that the decision was made to allow Labour to observe the government’s implementation of these measures.

In his submission to union members, Mr Ansah indicated that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had directed the Lands Minister to submit a request to Parliament for the revocation of L.I. 2462.

Organised Labour stated that it would continue to monitor the situation closely and remain committed to protecting workers’ rights and addressing the illegal mining crisis.