Ghana has ordered its mining regulator to standardise pay and employment conditions across the industry, ​a move that could ease union concerns ‌over a planned shift of mining operations from multinational companies to local contractors by December.

Africa’s top gold producer has directed miners ​to transfer operations to local contractors or face ​sanctions under local-content rules affecting major operators ⁠including Newmont AngloGold Ashanti, Zijin and Ghana Manganese Company. ​Labour unions have opposed the policy, warning it could ​reduce workers’ pay and benefits

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources said late on Wednesday it had instructed the Minerals Commission ​to ensure no worker employed by a mining ​contractor suffers a cut in wages, benefits or conditions of service ‌as ⁠a result of the shift from owner mining to contract mining.

The regulator has also been tasked with harmonising salaries, wages and employment conditions across the mining ​value chain and ​introducing a ⁠contractor classification system based on capacity. It must complete the process and submit ​implementation proposals by November 30.

The Ministry said ​there ⁠would be “zero tolerance” for unfair labour practices, cartelisation, bid-rigging and fronting arrangements that undermine local-content objectives.

The Minerals Commission ⁠did ​not immediately respond to a ​request for comment.

–Reuters–