Labour Minister resolves impasse between Newmont's management, staff

Employment and Labour Relations Minister Haruna Iddrisu has secured a deal between Mine staff of NEWMONT Ghana and the Management of the company.

The two have been in a dispute over salary and other working conditions and have already been seeking resolution at the Labour commission.

But dissatisfied mine staff adopted a “go slow” attitude refusing to work at full capacity at NEWMONT mine sites.

This led to NEWMONT management taking disciplinary action against some four staff by interdicting them.

But after intervention from the Labour Relations Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, both sides have resolved to end the dispute.

Newmont Staff Union Secretary Victor Asare-Gyapong explained to JOYNEWS the details of the directives issued.

“The minister gave a directive which was unambiguous it was simple straight to the point. He said employees must return to full scale production [by] 6pm today and management must reinstate the two interdicted employees [by] 6pm tomorrow. I am satisfied because it is a win-win situation our company will benefit; our employees will also benefit and I think everyone will be happy. The union will partner management in making sure that discipline is taken care of in the mines”

Newmont Ghana is expected to reinstate the four workers who were interdicted while renewed efforts at negotiations continue at the Labour Commission. Employment and Labour Relations Minister Haruna Iddrisu is optimistic that today's meeting will see improvement in relations.

“Both parties have resolved to work together to restore full normalcy and full operations of NEWMONT operations in both Akyem and Bono. We've all collectively agreed to observe the restoration without any go slow or any acts of sabotage or any acts of insubordination. Once full operations is reported in all mine sites then management will also re-call and reinstate workers interdicted to be subjected to some disciplinary process. I have requested that both parties ensure peace and harmony prevails in the mines and that they work together whilst they go back to the national labour commission to resolve the outstanding issues of wage increment within the context of the collective bargaining agreement for 2014/2015/2016 respectively”

A team will be sent to the Newmont mines in Akyem and Bono to ascertain the directives issued are being respected.