Some workers of the Underground Mining Alliance (UMA) in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region have raised concerns about the health risks associated with their work and the denial of health and employment benefits they claim they are entitled to.
According to the workers, most of whom started working with the company in 2019, they have developed various health conditions which have forced them to stay away from work for periods of up to one year and 10 months.
In an interview with some of the agitated workers on condition of anonymity, one of them said he had developed severe back pain and bone infections, after which the company asked him to remain at home while receiving half of his monthly salary.
He said the arrangement was not part of his contract or employment agreement with the company.
According to him, the agreement between the workers and UMA requires workers to be taken to hospital every month for medical attention.
He added that, after six months, workers are supposed to be vetted by the Ghana Medical Board to assess their health status and determine whether they are fit or unfit to continue working.
The aggrieved workers, who say they are suffering from various bone-related conditions as a result of their work in underground mining, claim they had also agreed with the company that workers found unfit after assessment by the Ghana Medical Board would be paid off by the employer.
They said such payments would enable them to start new lives while receiving treatment for their medical conditions.
However, the workers allege that the company has refused to take them before the medical board and has instead asked them to remain at home on half salary.
“I am taking Ghc2,000 for the past year. I have family to take care of; I have a wife, children and people depending on me. How much is Ghc2,000? My brother, they are not understanding us,” a disappointed worker said.
They further claim that UMA has employed new workers to fill their positions while they remain at home.
The workers said whenever they approach the company and request that they be taken before the medical board and paid off, particularly because their positions have already been filled, they are told that the process will be completed.
One of the workers alleged that the company was taking advantage of young people by employing them to work in the mines for several years and, when they develop health problems, asking them to stay at home and replacing them with other healthy young workers.
The workers are therefore appealing to the relevant authorities to intervene and compel UMA to address their concerns.
They want the company either to allow them to return to work and receive their full salaries or formally terminate their employment under a paid-off agreement that will enable them to seek medical treatment and rebuild their lives.
According to the affected workers, the company recently engaged them and assured them that they would be referred to a medical board. Until then, they would continue to receive half of their salaries.
However, the workers said such assurances had become routine and expressed doubt that the company would take any concrete action.
At the time of filing this report, the company had declined to comment on the matter on record.
