The Ghana Mineworkers' Union has threatened industrial action over the Minerals Commission's directive requiring major mining companies to transition from owner-mining to contract mining. The union claims this directive will lead to precarious employment and labour exploitation in the industry.
Union Demands Suspension of Contract Mining Directive
The Ghana Mineworkers' Union (GMWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has demanded the immediate suspension of the Minerals Commission's directive. In a petition dated August 20, 2026, the union accused the government of allowing local content policies to fuel precarious employment and labour exploitation in the mining industry.
The GMWU claims more than 95% of workers in the sector are now engaged in precarious employment arrangements, including fixed-term, casual, and contract work. Speaking after presenting the petition to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, GMWU General Secretary Abdul-Moomin Gbana said the union was "totally opposed" to the directive.
Precarious Employment and Labour Exploitation
According to the GMWU, more than 90% of workers in the mining sector were engaged in fixed-term and casual employment as of the end of 2024, while permanent employment accounted for less than 10%. The union says the situation has deteriorated further in 2026, with more than 95% of the workforce now in precarious employment.
The union attributes the trend partly to the Minerals and Mining (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2431), which it argues has contributed to the fragmentation of mining operations and the increasing use of contract mining. The union is particularly concerned about the role of labour brokers, especially in some Chinese-owned mining operations.
Wages and Benefits Under Scrutiny
The GMWU says workers employed through contractors generally receive significantly lower wages and benefits than those directly employed by mining companies. It claims wages can be reduced by at least half when workers move from owner-mining arrangements to contractor employment.
The union also cited delays in the payment of wages, non-payment of provident fund contributions and terminal gratuities, pension-related concerns and prolonged negotiations over conditions of service. It further raised concerns about workplace safety, alleging that cost-cutting by some contractors has contributed to higher levels of unrecorded workplace injuries.
Minister Promises Response
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, assured the union that the government's local content policy was intended to protect workers and secure jobs. "At the core of our local content policy is the interest of workers, work protection and job security of workers," he said. "There are serious concerns raised. We will study your petition, and we will quickly get back to you with a view to addressing them."
Red Armbands from September 1
The GMWU has given the government until September 2026 to address its concerns. It says workers across mining sites will begin wearing red armbands from September 1 as a demonstration of their opposition to the contract mining directive. The union has warned that more extensive industrial action could follow by the end of September if the government fails to suspend or reverse the directive.
Source: Joy Online
