Kejetia Terminal reconstruction workers lay down tools
Workers of Contracta Enginenharia Limited, the construction firm undertaking the reconstruction of the Kejetia Terminal in Kumasi, yesterday laid down their tools in protest against what they described as poor working conditions and threats from the management of the company.
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They said the management had consistently shifted the goalposts in connection with their migration from their current status as casual workers to permanent staff and also refused to allow them to form a local union.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Spokesperson for the group, Mr Bright Ackon, said although the prices of almost everything had shot up, the management continued to pay them meagre wages.
Wages
He said currently the monthly wage of an artisan was GH¢510, while a labourer took home GH¢360 before tax.
He said the more than 600 workers were also not paid canteen, health and rent allowances.
During a visit to the site, most of the workers were seen in groups, discussing the way forward, while a few were engaged in minor works.
Mr Ackon told the Daily Graphic that they had been promised that after working as casual workers for six months, they would be graduated to permanent staff.
He said surprisingly, when they approached management on the way forward, they were told that they needed to work as casual workers for six more months before their upgrade would be considered.
Union
On the formation of a union, he said anytime the workers made progress in that direction, the management thwarted the effort and insisted that they remained members of the mother union.
Around 12 noon yesterday, the workers were asked to go home.
Efforts to reach the management of the company were unsuccessful.
Project
Last month, President John Mahama and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, cut the sword for work to start on the construction of the four-phase project.
The $298-million project, which will be completed within 24 months, will have facilities such as CCTV systems powered by solar, modern sewerage, waste management facilities, water reservation and sewer treatment station, among others.
Other facilities include a large convenient parking lot, a modern bus terminal, a clinic, a police station and a crèche.