By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Keta (VR), April 30, GNA – More than 90 workers of Zoomlion in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region are demanding payment of 18 months of unpaid allowances from the management.
The workers employed by the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and working with Zoomlion, have been facing significant challenges due to the non-payment of their allowances.
Mr Godwin Lumor, leader of the Zoomlion workers at Keta, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said that most of his colleagues have been working for more than two years, with many passing away due to inability to afford medical treatment or cater for themselves.
“Some of my Zoomlion colleagues have been evicted from their homes due to non-payment of rent, while some are bedridden due to illness, we are pleading with management to consider our allowances so we can take care of ourselves and our children,” he said.
He said that workers were concerned about the delayed payment of their allowances, which supposed to be GH₵ 250 per month and 18 months of unpaid allowances has created a struggling situation for members to make an ends meet which include paying for medical treatment, house rent, schools fees, buying of food stuff, and taking care of other family needs.
He said that the workers are pleading with management to consider their welfare and take necessary steps to address the issue such as immediate payment of the outstanding allowances to help alleviate the increasing plight of Zoomlion members in the area.
“The non-payment of allowances has significantly impacted the livelihood, forcing others to take drastic measures and we hope that management will take our demands seriously and settle the outstanding allowances.”
Madam Vivian Helu and other Zoomlion workers, accused their leadership of intentionally refusing to pay the supposed GH₵250 monthly allowances that could have enable them to settle their debts as well as manage other family issues.
Other information GNA gathered revealed that the YEA has pushed for the abrogation of the contract with Zoomlion Ghana Limited, citing failure to pay sanitation workers while the agency has also proposed taking over the direct
payments to workers, with Zoomlion receiving GH₵ 600 per worker for management services.
The management of Zoomlion was said to have rejected the proposal insisting on maintaining control over the GH₵ 600 management fee which many feared would create confusing situation among the bodies.
It has been indicated that Zoomlion’s Director of Communications and Corporate affairs, Ms Emma Osei-Duah, has acknowledged the payment delays, citing the contract with YEA as the reason and explained that the company would require to pre-finance payments before reimbursement with discussions underway to resolve the issues.
The demand by Zoomlion workers in Keta for 18 months of unpaid allowances highlighted the challenges faced by workers in the sanitation sector and the call to action for management to address the issue and ensure that all workers receive their outstanding allowances is expected to be adhered to with immediate effect.
GNA
MA/LAA