Ghana Bauxite Company workers demanding improved working conditions

Contract workers at Ghana Bauxite Mining Company Limited have reportedly demanded improved working conditions; or else, threatened to walk off the job.

Labour spokesperson Issahaku Yakabu said the general condition under which they work is unsafe and retrogressive. Over the last eight years since in operation, the site showed no sign of improvement. Moreover, the management is not paying them the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions.

He further updated that a dozen of workers at the site have accepted the invitation to the company’s headquarters in Accra for negotiations, while warning that should the delegation not bring a better deal upon return, the aggrieved workers will implement a strike for three to six month.

As per local reporting, Ghana Bauxite Mining Company Limited consistently incurred losses between the years 2003 and 2009, under the management of Rio Tinto Alcan. Although in 2015 and 2017, the company made a profit of US$4,020,000 US$3,400,000, but was not sufficient to afford the payment of corporate taxes due to prior years’ losses, according to J.K. Fang, the current manager.