The Ghana Mine Workers Union has described as “a good start” the deal that has been brokered by the Ministry of Employment and Labor relations to get striking Newmont workers to return to work.
[contextly_sidebar id=”tgKuRzJhg95DzfdASW6xj31iodEf6Iyw”]This comes after the Minister of Employment and Labour relation Haruna Iddrisu met with the management and local union executives of Newmont Ghana Gold limited together with The General Secretary of the Ghana Mine Workers Union of TUC on April 20, to deliberate on ongoing industrial action at Newmont Ahafo mine.
According to a statement signed by the public relations officer of the ministry Doris Yaa Yamoah, as part of the consensus reached, Newmont workers will resume work by the evening of Monday, 20th April, 2015.
It further stated that Management of Newmont will recall the interdicted Newmont workers by 6:30pm on Tuesday April 21, 2015 upon confirmation of the resumption of work by Newmont workers.
The statement said the aforementioned directives should not be misconstrued as ouster or suspension of Newmont’s management and disciplinary procedures.
In an interview with Citi Business news, the Director, External Affairs and Communications at Newmont Ghana Gold Limited Adiki Ayitevie said the strike at the Ahafo mine has caused “4 days of full production loss leading to significant revenue loss to the company”.
She added, “It is critical as a business we continue to work with the Ghana Mine Workers Union to ensure industrial peace”.
The General Secretary of the Ghana Mineworkers Union Prince Williams Ankrah said the latest deal will ensure “a cordial industrial relation atmosphere and avoid further industrial action”.
Meanwhile the Union said it will pursue a case involving one of its members who was molested by the joint police and military team that visited the premises of Newmont Ahafo mines to ensure law and order.
The current bad relations between the two parties stem from a protracted salary and the collective bargaining agreement review that has lasted close to a year.
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By: Rabiu Alhassan/citifmonline.com/Ghana