Labour leaders and government officials have renewed calls for stronger action against exploitative practices in the mining sector, particularly the growing trend of casualisation, which they say undermines workers’ rights and livelihoods.
Speaking at the Third Executive Council Meeting of the African Federation of Miners and Mineral Wealth in Accra, General Secretary of the Socialist Movement of Ghana, Kwesi Pratt urged organised labour to take a decisive stand against mining companies engaging in such practices.
According to him, failure by labour unions to act firmly will embolden companies to continue violating workers’ rights.
“We must fight casualisation. What is happening in Ghana in our mines is happening in South Africa, it is happening in Tanzania, it is happening in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” he said. “It is not poor management; it is a deliberate strategy to break the collective power of labour,” he said.
Mr Pratt emphasised Africa’s vast mineral wealth, noting that the continent holds more than 30 percent of the world’s mineral resources. He cited the as an example, with an estimated $25 trillion worth of minerals, while also highlighting Ghana’s own rich deposits.
Despite this abundance, he expressed concern over persistent labour rights violations in Ghana’s mining industry, warning that casualisation continues to worsen working conditions.
“Organised labour must have the power to shut down any company that kills its workers,” he added.
Also addressing the meeting, President of the Federation, Joseph Chewe called for stronger collaboration among unions across the continent to address abuses in the sector.
“Labour standards and the safety of workers must be our priority,” he said.
Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress, Joshua Ansah assured that the TUC would work closely with government to ensure Ghana’s mineral wealth benefits workers.
“As trade unions, we cannot be passive observers. We have a responsibility to ensure that minerals mined benefit workers,” he stated.
General Secretary of the Ghana Mine Workers Union, Abdul Moomin Gbana, expressed confidence that the Federation would help strengthen regulatory frameworks within the mining industry.
“Our Federation has the mandate to protect and uphold labour rights for workers in the mining sector,” he said.
Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Rashid Pelpuo, reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving conditions in the mining sector and addressing regulatory gaps.
“As a government, we will ensure that the rights of workers are properly upheld for a peaceful industrial climate,” he noted.
The meeting brought together labour leaders from across Africa to discuss strategies for safeguarding workers’ rights and ensuring that the continent’s mineral wealth translates into tangible benefits for its workforce.
