5 December, 2012The Ghana Mineworkers Union (GMWU) called for the ratification of the ILO Convention 176 on safety and health in mines, claiming the government is “mortgaging the health and safety of the mineworkers”.
As reported by the Ghananian Chronicle Mr. Prince William Ankrah, GMWU General Secretary called for the ratification of the International Labour Organization mine safety convention as it is the “surest safeguard for mining safety in our sector and no amount of improvisation in whatever form by our governments can negate its relevance”.
Ghana, Africa’s second biggest producer of gold, has failed to ratify the Convention and its recommendations for the past 16 years.
The Convention was adopted on 22 June 1995 at the 82nd Session of the ILO General Conference at Geneva, Switzerland. The Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995 (No.176) is central to achieving decent work in an industry, which has occupational safety and health as its main challenge.
Part of the fight for achieving mine safety around the world is through ratification of ILO Convention 176 on safety and health in mines. This convention sets out guidelines on inspections, accident reporting and investigation, training, hazard control and a worker’s right to participate in workplace health and safety decisions and to remove themselves from danger.
As of today, 26 countries have ratified ILO C176. See the list of countries to have ratified here.
When it comes to occupational health and safety, governments and employers have responsibilities – workers have rights.