Life as an ex-mine worker: exploring the coping and wellbeing of the 2014 retrenched mine workers in Obuasi municipality, Ghana

Abstract

Background: The year 2014 saw a roll-out of a retrenchment policy in Anglo-gold Ashanti, Obuasi, leading to a massive lay-off of about 3,500 mine workers of the company. For the retrenched workers, the job-loss meant a total change of future plans for survival and adaption. A job is not only a means of acquiring income or wealth but a source of identity with positive health implications. Conversely, job-loss has negative implications including threats on physical and mental health. Achieving good health and wellbeing through allowing individuals to have full control over their lives is one of the global targets inscribed in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) to be realised by 2030. Thus, job-loss has negative implications for reaching the global targets, the SDGs. It has negative consequences on Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG3) as well as Decent work for all (SDG8). Furthermore, it’s effect on SDG3 and SDG8 has repercussions on other SDGs, for instance, No Poverty (SDG1) and Zero Hunger (SDG2).

Research Objective: The primary objective of the study was to explore the coping and wellbeing of the 2014 retrenched workers of Anglo-gold Ashant company, a mining company based in Obuasi. The study thus, sought to unravel individual coping strategies that were adopted to mitigate the stressor of job-loss.

Theoretical framework: Antonovsky’s theory of salutogenesis (sense of coherence) was employed to provide a coping perspective to understand how the effects of the stressor (job-loss) was mitigated with different coping strategies to be able to achieve wellbeing.

Methodology: With a qualitative and phenomenological research method, seven ex-mine workers were interviewed via digital means (zoom) to ascertain how they were coping with the effects of the job-loss, especially after the company resumed operations in 2019 and most ex-workers were overlooked. With the help of Nvivo program, data was analysed in adherence to Braun & Clarke’s reflexive TA.

Findings: Among the findings gathered, participants mentioned that coping resources including family, religion and friends were crucial for mitigating the effects of the stressor of job-loss. Moreover, personal efforts including abstinence, cuts in expenditure, adopting new lifestyles and a decision to stay active for work were some other important findings. Finally, blames became a means of coping by attributing personal and external factors as a cause of their present lifestyles. Participants found strategies and resources which they fell on in coping with the job-loss.

Conclusion: The findings of the study gave evidence that participants spoke to elements of SOC (comprehensibility, meaningfulness and manageability). Thus, they demonstrated a good understanding of happenings around them, they found meaning in committing to and engaging the situation of job-loss and as a result, identified resources useful to mitigate the stressor. Speaking to elements of SOC tell how participants’ thoughts were shaped to cope with the stressful situation of job-loss. In the end, the study sought to fill gap in literature on job-loss and wellbeing in Ghana and also in the mining industry in Ghana.