Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Adentan, Kojo Adu Asare, has expressed disappointment over Organised Labour’s decision to call off its planned strike.
According to him, the labour union should have started the strike for a few days to see how urgent government will respond.
“Everything the government has said is wishful, nothing concrete because when you go to the grounds, all the things the government has said no measures have been put in place yet,” he said.
The industrial action set for October 10 was aimed at pressuring the government to take stronger action against illegal mining locally known as galamsey.
Speaking on Asempa FM Ekosii Sen, he said the government has had eight years to deal with the galamsey problem, yet they have shown little commitment.
“When they continue this way, Organised Labour loses the strength and grip it has on government to address pressing national issues.
“The government had up to September 30 to act but nothing was done until the ultimatum elapsed before the government started to break their front. They started with a meeting and pussyfooting,” he added.
The Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, who announced the suspension on Wednesday said it follows a meeting with the government, during which the administration offered enhanced measures to strengthen the fight against illegal mining.
Mr. Ansah indicated that the President had directed the Lands Minister to submit a request to Parliament for the revocation of L.I. 2462.
He mentioned that this, along with the deployment of soldiers to assist in the fight and the establishment of 14 courts for the trial of all arrested illegal miners showed enough commitment on the government’s part.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed his commitment to end galamsey in response to growing concerns.
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