Isaac Tandoh, CEO of Minerals Commission
The Minerals Commission is pushing for the development of a standard remuneration and welfare framework for workers employed by local contract mining companies as the industry transitions from owner mining to contract mining.
Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Isaac Tandoh, said the framework should establish a fair and workable baseline for wages and conditions of service and prevent workers from becoming worse off when they move from mining companies to local contractors.
“We need to build a firm but workable baseline for remunerations. Workers cannot be made worse off in their conditions of service when employed by local contractors,” he said.
Mr. Tandoh made the call during an engagement with another group of local contract miners following concerns raised by the Mine Workers Union over workers’ conditions under the growing contract mining model.
He said the Commission was concerned about complaints involving unpaid provident fund contributions, bonuses, SSNIT contributions and other statutory obligations and warned that government would take punitive action against contractors who fail to protect workers’ welfare.
He also called for greater coordination among local contractors, urging them to establish an industry association or chamber that could provide a collective voice and strengthen their bargaining position.
According to Mr. Tandoh, such a body could work with human resource professionals, lawyers, mining engineers and other specialists to negotiate better conditions and support the development of the contract mining industry.
He further urged contractors to avoid price undercutting and submit realistic rates when bidding for mining contracts, warning that unsustainable pricing could ultimately undermine workers’ welfare and the viability of local companies.
Mr. Tandoh said the Commission’s broader objective was to build the capacity of Ghanaian companies to take over larger-scale mining operations.
He encouraged contractors to form joint ventures and strategic alliances to improve their capacity to compete for contracts while promoting responsible mining.
The Minerals Commission is also engaging the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Revenue Authority over the impact of import tariffs and other taxes on mining equipment.
Mr. Tandoh said addressing remuneration, corporate governance, localisation and the operating costs of local contractors would be important to strengthening Ghanaian participation in the mining industry.
