Ghana has directed its mining regulator to standardise salaries, benefits and employment conditions across the mining industry as the country prepares to transfer mining operations from multinational companies to local contractors by December.
The move aims to address concerns from labour unions, which have warned that the transition from owner-operated mining to contract mining could lead to reduced wages and benefits for workers.
Ghana, Africa's leading gold producer, has instructed mining companies to transfer operations to local contractors or face sanctions under its local-content rules. The policy affects major operators, including Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti, Zijin and Ghana Manganese Company.
In a statement late on Wednesday, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources said it had instructed the Minerals Commission to ensure that no worker suffers a reduction in wages, benefits or employment conditions because of the transition.
The regulator has also been tasked with harmonising salaries and employment conditions across the mining value chain and introducing a contractor classification system based on operational capacity.
The Minerals Commission must complete the process and submit implementation proposals by November 30.
The ministry also warned of zero tolerance for unfair labour practices, cartelisation, bid-rigging and fronting arrangements that undermine the country's local-content objectives.
The Minerals Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Source: Reuters
Reporting: Maxwell Akalaare Adombila, Christian Akorlie & Emmanuel Bruce
Editing: Mark Potter
