Mineworkers ‘halt’ layoffs at Goldfields

Goldfields Ghana Limited may have to put on hold its planned layoffs at the Tarkwa mine until the court decides on a case brought before it by the Ghana Mine Workers’ Union.

The labour division of the Accra High Court is expected to hear the case next month (February 15th, 2018).

Citi Business News understands that this is also to allow the mine workers fulfill the thirty day notice to the Attorney General’s office on the issue.

The lawyer for the mine workers, Charles Bawa Duah told Citi Business News the fulfilling of the thirty days requirement should pave way for the court to determine the union’s case for an interlocutory injunction on the development.



“If you look at Section 20 of the state proceedings Act, it states that when a party for whatever reasons has not complied with the thirty days notice, the court is enjoined by law not to dismiss the action but to adjourn the case to allow the thirty days to elapse, so this is what exactly happened the case has now been adjourned to the 15th of February and on that day, the court will hear the application filed by mineworkers for an order of interlocutory injunction,” Mr. Bawa Duah stated.

Goldfields Ghana Limited in December 2017 announced that it is laying off some 1,500 workers at the Tarkwa mine.

The company argued among others that it has become apparent to change its mining operation strategy from owner binder to the contract binder.

The decision has been opposed by the workers hence the court action.

Responding to whether or not the affected staff are still at post, Mr. Bawa Duah stated in the affirmative that they should be at post until the court determines otherwise.

“The workers are at post because there is an application filed by mineworkers as far back as 19th December which has not yet been heard by the court,” he added.

Source: citifmonline.com