The workers were protesting against management’s decision to opt for contract mining, which is expected to result in huge job losses.

[contextly_sidebar id=”skFH2u6RYjD3pSQW58sJVkFIyDdtsCfM”]Speaking to Citi News, the Divisional Commander for Tarkwa, ACP Edmond Ohene Bosompim, said the police had begun investigations into the matter and the suspects would be arraigned soon.

“They were arrested on Monday and by 5:30pm statements had been taken from them and they were released on police enquiry bail to appear in court.  We are gathering intelligence to find out if they could be charged for unlawful demonstration and if it is so, we will try to have a dialogue with the leadership so that the right thing could be done, ”he said.

The Third World Network has predicted a drastic change in large-scale mining in Ghana if Goldfields Ghana’s new mining plan is allowed to sail through.

Gold Fields Ghana Limited has announced that it will change its operational strategy from owner mining to contract mining.

The situation is to lead to the laying off of some one thousand five hundred (1500) workers at its Tarkwa mine.

The decision has been heavily resisted by the Ghana Mine Workers’ Union who have accused the company of acting in bad faith leading to the demonstration, after their court action to stop the move failed.

Gold Fields planned layoffs: Gov’t intervenes after workers’ protest

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu, says government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with aggrieved workers of Gold Fields Ghana who have been protesting over the staff layoffs.

According to him, the MoU is to ensure that the workers of the company who will be affected by the redundancy programme are re-engaged under the new arrangement.

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 8 Gold Fields workers could be charged for unlawful protest – Police appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Judge, Laurenda Owusu said she will rely on the relevant provisions in civil procedure rules, CI 47 and all the processes filed to deliver its ruling on the set date.

The suit before the court was initiated on behalf of the workers by the Ghana Mine Workers Union (GMWU).

In the writ, the workers are praying the court to restrain Goldfields from going ahead with the intended redundancy exercise until all the stakeholders involved.

They are also seeking a declaration from the court that the redundancy exercise is “unlawful” because the reasons given by the mining giant to lay them off do not meet the “requirements, conditions or grounds for redundancy, as provided by Section 65 of the Labour Act, 2013, Act 651”.

The workers further want the court to declare that the purported authorisation of the redundancy exercise by the Chief Labour Officer is “illegal, unlawful and null and void”.

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By: Citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

The post Court to rule on Goldfields workers’ case on March 2 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.