The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union (GMWU) has warned that the growing shift from permanent employment to casual and contract work in the mining sector is eroding job security, undermining workers’ welfare, and threatening the stability of the industry.

Speaking at the Union’s National Executive Council meeting in Tarkwa on August 14, 2025, General Secretary Abdul-Moomin Gbana said over 90 per cent of workers in the sector are now engaged in non-standard forms of employment, a situation he described as “retrogressive” and driven by production fragmentation and outsourcing under the guise of local content.

“This arrangement continues to threaten and undermine the decent work agenda and impoverish our members; it must stop,” Mr Gbana told delegates at the Gold Fields Akoon Clubhouse.

He urged the government, the Minerals Commission, and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to intervene with policies to protect local contractors from exploitative agreements with multinational companies, warning that “cut-throat” contract rates were resulting in wage delays, unpaid pensions, and unsafe working conditions.

On the broader industry outlook, Mr Gbana noted that the global surge in gold prices, which hit an unprecedented US$3,000 per ounce this year, had boosted investment and production in Ghana, with output projected to rise from 4.8 million ounces to 5.1 million.

He said the windfall should translate into better pay and conditions for mineworkers.

The General Secretary singled out Heath Goldfields Ltd, new operators of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine, for praise after the company paid GH₵80 million in outstanding wages owed by the previous leaseholder and committed to restarting operations.

“We pledge our fullest support to work cooperatively with Heath Goldfields to transform the mine into a world-class asset,” he said.

Touching on Ghana’s stake in the mining industry, Mr Gbana called for a “gradualist approach” to increasing local ownership rather than radical takeovers, and urged the government to revive the Minerals Income Investment Fund’s Small Scale Mining Incubation Programme to help grow indigenous mining firms into mid-tier companies.

The GMWU leader also paid tribute to the eight Ghanaians who died in the August 6 helicopter crash while travelling to Obuasi for an anti-galamsey mission.

“Their deaths must renew our commitment to eradicating illegal mining in all its forms,” he said, extending condolences to their families, the government, and the nation.

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, has reaffirmed the TUC’s solidarity with the Mineworkers’ Union, pledging to support efforts to improve working conditions, enhance occupational health and safety, and defend the rights of miners.

Addressing the NEC meeting, Mr Ansah commended the Union’s leadership for consistently fulfilling its constitutional mandate to engage members on key industry issues.

“The mining sector is a critical component of Ghana's economy, and the workers in this sector are the backbone of the industry,” he said.

“The TUC Ghana is committed to working with the Mineworkers’ Union to address the challenges facing the sector and ensure that workers’ voices are heard.”

He also urged government to expedite the review of the Labour Act to strengthen labour relations in Ghana.

“I call on the President and the Minister responsible for Labour and Employment to facilitate and ensure that the review of the Labour Act is brought to a conclusion to give real meaning to labour relations matters in the country,” Mr Ansah added.