Labour expert Austin Gamey has expressed strong support for Organised Labour’s decision to embark on a nationwide strike over the government’s failure to address the rampant issue of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Gamey, however, argued that the strike, scheduled to begin on October 10, 2024, should have been implemented immediately to emphasize the urgency of the situation.
He criticized the decision to give a seven-day notice, stating that he would have taken immediate action to make it clear just how serious this issue is.
Organised Labour, which represents various unions and workers’ groups across the country, has been raising concerns about the devastating impact of galamsey on the environment, water bodies, and the livelihoods of countless Ghanaians.
After giving the government a deadline to address the issue by the end of September, the unions announced the strike following the government’s failure to meet their demands.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), stated, “Following the expiration of our deadline, and the failure of the government to meet our demands on illegal mining, Organised Labour has decided to declare a nationwide strike with effect from October 10, 2024.”
Gamey, in an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, reiterated the significance of the strike and highlighted the need for immediate and decisive action to stop the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining.
“Well, I am even surprised that they did not consider the risk level at 100% and therefore had given seven days. If I were to be the Secretary-General and the people meeting today, we certainly would not give it seven days’ notice. It would be an immediate action because this is long overdue,” he stated.
Adding, “We are actually, if you like, potentially we had agreed to self-murder ourselves… I think they have done exceptionally well. There is no negotiation. This matter is non-discussable and therefore there is no need for anybody to call any meeting whatsoever to discuss anything with them.”
