Some former employees stage a protest

ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI Ghana says it notes with regret the protest action outside its office in Accra by a small group of former employees who are alleging there were some inadequacies in the retrenchment packages paid out to them in 2014.

According to the company, it was confident that all entitlements due to retrenched employees were fully paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement and all applicable laws.

It said the retrenchment programme, which was preceded with intensive dialogue with affected parties, was supported and facilitated by a range of stakeholders, including National Authorities, the Ghana Mine Workers’ Union (GMWU) and the Chief Labour Officer.

A statement from the company said, “AngloGold Ashanti Ghana is disappointed that despite several engagements with this aggrieved group to clarify the Collective Agreement and verify calculations, these unfounded claims persist including a purported Unprecedented Negotiation Agreement signed in 2013 by the company, the Chief Labour Officer and the GMWU. The company and the GMWU have made it clear to the leadership of this aggrieved group that this purported Unprecedented Negotiation Agreement is a forgery. This matter has been reported to the Ghana Police and investigation is currently underway.”

It continued that AngloGold Ashanti Ghana was currently occupied with redeveloping the Obuasi Mine into a modern, productive, long-life and high-margin mining operation.

“This effort not only provides jobs to the mine’s direct employees, but also ensures further job creation through procurement and contract opportunities offered to a range of local businesses across the operation’s value chain,” the company noted.