Accra, January 8, 2026 – As Ghana’s mining industry thrives amid soaring global gold prices and record production levels, the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union (GMWU) has sounded the alarm on the growing mismatch between the sector’s prosperity and the deteriorating protections for the workers driving it.
General Secretary for the Union, Abdul-Moomin Gbana, stressed that the current Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) is outdated and ill-equipped to handle the surge in precarious employment practices that have become commonplace in mining operations across the country.
“The mining sector is enjoying unprecedented profits, yet thousands of our members face heightened job insecurity, elevated safety risks, and diminished benefits due to the widespread use of contract, temporary, and outsourced labour,” Mr. Gbana noted. “These ‘retrogressive’ trends undermine decent work at a time when the industry should be sharing its gains more equitably with the workforce.”
The Union highlighted how fragmentation of production and indiscriminate outsourcing have led to weaker enforcement of safety standards, increased accident rates, and erosion of collective bargaining rights – issues that directly threaten the lives and livelihoods of mineworkers.
This renewed call for urgent reform comes after years of advocacy by the GMWU, which has consistently pushed for updates to address implementation gaps in the existing law. With no significant changes enacted despite repeated appeals to previous administrations, the Union is urging the current government and Parliament to act swiftly.
“Modern labour laws would not only safeguard workers but also ensure the long-term sustainability of an industry that remains vital to Ghana’s economy,” Mr. Gbana added. “We stand ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to deliver reforms that promote fairer, safer, and more secure employment in mining.”
The GMWU continues to monitor developments closely and vows to intensify its campaign until meaningful changes are realised.
