The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union (GMWU) has demanded the immediate suspension of a Minerals Commission directive. This directive requires major mining companies to shift from owner-mining to contract mining operations. The union warns that failure to address its concerns could lead to widespread industrial action across the mining sector.
The GMWU, part of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), submitted a petition on August 20, 2026. It accuses the government of allowing local content policies to promote unstable employment and worker exploitation. The union states that more than 95% of workers in the mining sector now hold precarious jobs. These include fixed-term, casual, and contract work arrangements.
This development fits into a broader trend of labour market precarity in Ghana. The GMWU argues that the Minerals and Mining (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2431), intended to boost local participation, have instead fragmented mining operations. This has increased the use of contract mining, which the union links to declining worker conditions. This situation could impact Ghana's significant mineral production, a key contributor to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
GMWU General Secretary Abdul-Moomin Gbana stated the union is “totally opposed” to the directive. He argued it reverses the original goals of Ghana’s local content regulations. “This is not what we intended for local content regulation,” Mr. Gbana said. “This is a complete reversal of what the intentions were.”
The union’s concerns highlight significant implications for Ghana’s economy and labour relations. Prolonged industrial unrest in the mining sector could disrupt mineral output, affecting export revenues and foreign exchange earnings. Decision-makers must balance local content promotion with ensuring fair labour practices to maintain economic stability and investor confidence. The government's response will be closely watched by both labour groups and mining companies.
The GMWU reports that over 90% of mining workers were in fixed-term or casual employment by the end of 2024. Permanent employment accounted for less than 10%. This situation has worsened in 2026, with over 95% of the workforce now in precarious roles. The union attributes this partly to the local content regulations, which it claims have fostered fragmentation and increased contract mining.
Concerns also extend to the role of labour brokers, especially in some Chinese-owned mining operations. The GMWU alleges that Ghanaian professionals, including engineers and geologists, face poor working conditions and inadequate pay under these contractor arrangements. The union insists that local content must create opportunities for all Ghanaians, not become a tool for exploitation.
Workers employed through contractors reportedly receive significantly lower wages and benefits. Wages can be cut by at least half when workers move from direct employment to contractor roles. The union also cited issues like delayed wage payments, non-payment of provident fund contributions, and unresolved pension concerns. Workplace safety is another major concern, with allegations of increased unrecorded injuries due to cost-cutting by contractors.
The GMWU first raised these issues with the Minerals Commission in April 2026. This followed a directive for companies like Zijin, Newmont, and AngloGold to transition to contract mining by December 2026. A meeting in May 2026 at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources proposed suspending the directive and forming a Technical Committee. However, the union claims it has not been invited to participate in this committee.
The union demands the suspension of all administrative directives mandating the shift to contract mining. It also calls for strong regulatory actions to reverse the growing casualisation and outsourcing of mining jobs. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, assured the union that local content policy aims to protect workers. He promised to study the petition and address the concerns.
The GMWU has given the government until September 2026 to resolve its issues. Mineworkers across various sites will begin wearing red armbands from September 1 as a protest. The union warns that more extensive industrial action could follow by the end of September if the directive is not suspended or reversed. This potential unrest could significantly impact Ghana's vital mining sector.