The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union (GMWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) 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 sent home over 10 months ago after the expiration of their contracts, but have since not received their full benefits, despite provisions in their individual contract agreements.
Members of the union on Tuesday, December 16, staged a picket against BCM Ghana Limited to demand the immediate settlement of the outstanding payments, describing the delay as unacceptable and unjust.
General Secretary of the GMWU, Abdul-Moomin Gbana, said the prolonged delay has subjected the former workers and their families to severe financial hardship, adding that repeated efforts to engage the company’s management have yielded no results.
Mr Gbana stressed that the benefits are not a favour, but a legitimate entitlement earned through years of hard work, warning that the union would not hesitate to escalate 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 shared their frustrations with Citi News, describing the situation as dire and emotionally draining.
“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 worker said.
Meanwhile, efforts to obtain a response from BCM Ghana Limited on the matter have so far been unsuccessful.
