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Organised Labour has suspended its planned nationwide strike, originally set for Thursday, October 10, 2024. The decision came after an emergency meeting on Wednesday, October 9, where union leaders reviewed the situation and opted to call off the industrial action.
The strike was suspended following reassurances from the government that concrete measures are being taken to combat illegal mining (galamsey), which has caused significant environmental damage. Organised Labour noted that the government’s “Operational Halt” initiative, led by the Ghana Armed Forces, has been ramped up to tackle illegal mining activities in forest reserves.
Joshua Ansah, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), announced the suspension during a media briefing, explaining that the unions will monitor the government’s efforts to curb illegal mining before deciding on future action. The unions had initially planned the strike to pressure the government into declaring a state of emergency over the galamsey crisis.
While the planned strike had gained support from various unions, such as the Public Utility Workers Union and the General Agricultural Workers Union, key healthcare bodies like the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) had chosen to opt out, continuing to provide essential services.
Despite the suspension, Organised Labour emphasized that it would keep a close watch on the government’s actions to ensure that workers’ rights and environmental concerns are addressed.
