The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Isaac Tandoh, has met with another batch of local contract miners to address concerns raised by the Mine Workers Union over the transition from owner mining to contract mining.

Tandoh said the Minerals Commission empathises with the Union’s concerns about unfair wages and, as the industry regulator, remains committed to ensuring the full participation of Ghanaian workers in the mining sector.

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He urged the contract miners to constitute a team to develop a fair and transparent framework that would be favourable to contract workers.

“We need to build a firm but workable baseline for remuneration. Workers cannot be made worse off in their conditions of service when employed by local contractors,” he stated.

He also warned against price undercutting, urging contractors to price their services appropriately or risk government intervention.

He added that the government would take punitive action to enforce workers’ welfare, citing complaints that some contractors had failed to pay provident fund contributions, bonuses, SSNIT contributions and other statutory obligations.

He further noted that mining lease holders already have their own Chamber and advised contract miners to formalise their group.

The broader objective, he said, is to build the capacity of local companies to take over large-scale mining operations.

He encouraged contractors to form joint ventures and alliances to bid for contracts and pursue responsible mining.

“We want to see collaboration, realistic rates and numbers, and motivation for Ghanaian workers without them being short-changed,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the engagement would yield positive results for the mining sector and Ghanaian workers.

ANAS/MA

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