Organised labour is preparing to launch a nationwide strike on October 10 if the government fails to impose a ban on illegal mining activities in the country. Abdulai Salifu, the acting labour officer in the Upper East Region, underscored the urgency of the situation, highlighting that illegal mining has far-reaching implications for workers’ health and overall well-being.
Mr. Salifu emphasised that the fight against illegal mining is fundamentally a labour issue, asserting that workers must have access to basic necessities such as clean water for hygiene, cooking, and sanitation. “This is a labour issue because before you go out to work, you should be healthy. There should be water for you to bathe, for you to cook and drink, and for you to wash your things. All these things are labour issues.”
He pointed out that any factor inhibiting a person’s ability to work effectively falls under the domain of labour concerns. This includes health, food security, and environmental conditions, all of which are intertwined with the current crisis. “Any activity that affects someone’s ability to perform their work to the best of their ability is a labour issue. It has to do with health, food, and the environment. Every aspect of it is related to labour; that’s why organised labour is urging the government to listen to what people are saying.”
According to Salifu, the government is fully aware of the ongoing challenges but has not taken sufficient action. He urged the authorities to respond proactively to the rising tide of public discontent and to recognize the dire realities facing communities affected by illegal mining. He warned that failing to act could exacerbate unemployment, as many individuals involved in illegal mining are graduates struggling to find legitimate work. “We want to suggest that we are pleading for a more liberalized system. Let’s allow the structures of the system to work so that when people complete school, they know they are going out to work, rather than being led into illegal activities.”
He called for a more liberalized approach to the economy that allows individuals to seek gainful employment without resorting to illegal activities. He stressed that many young people are turning to illegal mining as a means of survival due to a lack of viable job opportunities. “It is causing significant unemployment, and the youth are turning to these activities just to earn a living.”
Source: A1Radioonline.Com | 101.1 MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga |
