Tema-Mpakadan rail workers lay down tools over poor conditions of service

Workers of Afcons Infrastructure Limited, the company constructing the Tema to Mpakadan railway line on Monday morning laid down their tools and embarked on a demonstration over poor working conditions.

The over 150 workers picketed in front of the project office near Shai Hills, to demand improved working conditions.

This is the third time the workers have laid down their tools over poor working conditions.

Management of Afcons Infrastructure Ltd has a contract with five recruitment outsourcing companies who are supposed to pay the minimum wage as the industry standard.

However, the workers have alleged that they are not being paid what is due them.

For instance, they alleged that workers who work for 27 days were paid for only 22 days.

The differences in their working conditions is what has pushed them to embark on strike action.

Mr Bernard Essuman spokesperson for the workers told the media that, the Recruitment Agencies had over the years refused to pay them what they signed on to.

He said following previous meetings with the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Company, on March 21, 2019, the outsourcing agencies were adviced to rectify the situation, however, the advice has not been heeded to.

Mr Essuman, a bulldozer operator and a leader of the workers said instead of rectifying the situation, the agencies have rather dismissed the leaders on charges of leading the agitation for better conditions of service.

The Police from Dodowa Command responded to the call to maintain law and order.

As of midday Monday, the management of Afcons Infrastructure Limited and the Recruitment Agencies were locked up in a meeting aimed at resolving the problem.