Workers of Oda Sawmills demonstrates against Management

Akim Oda (E/R), Feb. 13, GNA - About 200 workers of the Oda Sawmills and Plywood Company Limited in the Eastern Region, have demonstrated agains= t their Management, for failure to pay them their eight-month emolument. The protesters, who wore red-bands, marched from the company through the principal streets of Akim Oda, holding placards, some of which read: "Oda Sawmills No Pay for Eight Months," "Fiifi Aboagye is Killing us," and "No Pay 0 No School Fees - Food for Children."

Leaders of the protesters later presented a two-page letter containing their grievances to the Chairman of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in the Birim Central Municipality, Mr Courage Bonuedi.

Mr Bonuedi described the situation as painful and pathetic and assured the workers that the impasse would be resolved in accordance with the labour laws.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the branch local Union Executives of TUC representing the interest of the workers, said: 93The entire workforce of the company had lost confidence in the General Manager; Mr Fiifi Aboagye, who now controls every facet of the company."

"We are only asking management to pay our eight months salary arrears." Mr Alex Owusu, Oda Sawmills local Union Chairman, said the salary and wages arrears spans May and December 2010.

He said management was not honouring the payment of their Social Security contributions, union dues, overtime and other allowances from 2007 to 2010 and the renewal of their National Health Insurance Scheme. Mr Samuel Abroakwa, local Union Secretary, added that long-service award had piled up from 2007 to 2010, while the workers are denied their end-of-service benefits awards and funeral grant compensation.

Officials of the TUC appealed to the Ghana Labour Commission and the Fair wages and Salaries Commission to intervene to resolve the stalemate. Every effort by the GNA to talk to the Management of the company failed.