Mineworkers’ Union Gives BCM Ghana Limited Three-Day Ultimatum Over Unpaid Benefits
The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union (GMWU) of the Trades Union Congress has issued a three-day ultimatum to BCM Ghana Limited to pay end-of-contract benefits owed to more than 700 former employees.
According to the union, the affected workers were laid off over ten months ago following the expiration of their contracts but have yet to receive their full entitlements, despite clear provisions in their individual employment agreements. The union described the prolonged delay as unacceptable and a violation of the workers’ contractual rights.
On Tuesday, December 16, members of the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union staged a picket at BCM Ghana Limited to demand the immediate settlement of the outstanding payments. The protest, the union said, was intended to draw public attention to the plight of the former employees, many of whom are facing severe economic difficulties.
General Secretary of the GMWU, Abdul-Moomin Gbana, said the delay in payment has plunged affected workers and their families into financial hardship. He noted that repeated attempts to engage the company’s management through dialogue and correspondence have failed to yield any positive outcome.
Mr Gbana stressed that the benefits in question are not discretionary payments but legally earned entitlements. He warned that the union would not hesitate to intensify its actions if the company fails to comply within the stipulated timeframe.
“The end-of-contract benefits are our sweat and blood. We worked for them, and every pesewa must be paid. We are not begging or pleading; this is a demand and our legitimate right. BCM has between today and Friday to pay us,” he stated.
Some of the affected workers also expressed frustrations, describing the situation as distressing and emotionally exhausting. “Our people are dying. We cannot wait until we are all gone before our families come for this money. We worked hard for it, and we must be paid,” one former employee lamented.
Meanwhile, efforts to obtain a response from BCM Ghana Limited on the matter have so far proved unsuccessful.
