Newmont Ghana has justified the reduction in the number of job cuts expected to be undertaken this month.
The mining giant reduced the number of job cuts from an earlier 600 to 472 people.
The move forms part of a retrenchment and restructuring exercise it is undertaking to ensure its continuous survival.
The move however received stiff resistance from the mine workers union requesting justification.
Director of External Affairs of Newmont Ghana, AdikiOfeibiaAyitevi speaking to Citi Business News indicates the reduction in the number of job cuts is as a result of the reassessment done.
“Newmont without wanting to endanger the sustainability of our business, we have carried further job placement and vigorous review and consultations to minimize the impact on employees and to save jobs”, she said.
According to her “about 472 people will be impacted by the exercise. As you may know this is a clear reduction in the earlier figures of between 500 and 600 employees that we had previously communicated.”
Meanwhile the Mine Workers Union has expressed satisfaction with the resolution of the impasse.
Secretary-General of the Mine Workers Union of Ghana, Prince William Ankrah speaking to Citi Business news said “we put our ears down and got signal from our colleagues there, that the facts are right. There is a business case to go along with them (the company) to reduce the numbers in the interim while they become efficient in whatever they are doing. Then in the next year or two, they will get money to expand as they have promised. Base on that they can sign some additional numbers.”
According to him “theterms of agreement reflects the scope of the conditions of service, so there is no deviation or whatsoever apart from the amendment that will come to play after we have done the negotiation.”
“That is when we were promised that when we are done with the negotiations those made redundant, whatever they are due in terms of back pay, we will be paid to them. That brings this into finality”, he added.
By: Anim Kwaku Boadu/citifmonline.com/Ghana