Accra: The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has issued a cautionary statement to the government, emphasizing that local content policies in the mining sector should not compromise workers' rights. The GFL expressed concerns that the government's reported directive to transition to contract mining could potentially undermine job security and decent work standards.
According to Ghana Web, at a press conference held in Accra, the Secretary General of GFL, Abraham Koomson, voiced solidarity with the Extractive Industry Workers' Union Ghana (EIWUG) and all mine workers who might be impacted by the directive. He highlighted that while the Federation supports Ghanaian involvement in mining, it will not support policies that weaken labor protections.
Koomson stated, "Let me state clearly from the outset that the Ghana Federation of Labour is not opposed to local content. We support Ghanaian participation in the mining sector. We support policies that deepen Ghanaian ownership, promote local enterprise, retain value within the national economy, and create decent jobs for Ghanaian workers. However, local content must not become a cover for labour casualisation."
He further argued that national participation should align with the protection of workers' rights, emphasizing that decent work, as defined by the International Labour Organization, is based on employment, rights at work, social protection, and social dialogue. He cautioned that any policy that boosts Ghanaian ownership but results in insecure jobs, lower wages, weaker union protection, poorer safety standards, and reduced collective bargaining does not meet the decent work standard.
The GFL has called for the immediate suspension of the directive until there is full disclosure, meaningful consultation with organized labor, and a comprehensive labor impact assessment. Koomson stressed that any transition to contract mining must be preceded by a clear labor-protection framework to safeguard jobs, wages, benefits, pensions, union rights, and occupational safety standards.
He concluded by stating that any local contractor assuming mining operations must be obligated to respect existing labor standards, collective agreements, union rights, wages, benefits, pensions, social security obligations, and occupational safety and health standards. The Federation reiterated its support for local content but made it clear that it would not endorse policies that compromise secure employment or undermine workers' rights.