Ex GPHA workers ask Transport Minister to be proactive

Workers of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), who were laid off without their severance awards since 2002, have appealed to Ministry of Transport to be proactive in the payment of their benefits.

Mr Stephen Ashitey- Adjei, Leader of the retrenched workers told Ghana News Agency in Accra, on Tuesday that they have very reliable information that government has directed authorities of GPHA to pay the money, and that would be possible when the Ministry treats the issue with a sense of urgency.

He said a number of efforts to meet Mrs Dzifa Attivor, the sector Minister to facilitate the process, has proved fruitless, adding: “This issue involves human lives and should not be taken lightly.”

He said this would ensure justice for the more than 3,000 workers who were laid off 12 years ago.

Mr Ashitey-Adjei said so far only five people have received their severance awards.

He said if government does not pressurise the ministry to compel GPHA to pay the money management would continue to frustrate the poor ex-workers and their families.

Mr Ashitey- Adjei said the ministry is aware that on June 5, 2003 the workers received a letter in response to their petition to the late Speaker of Parliament Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, on the severance awards, which was addressed by K.E.K Tachie the then Clerk to Parliament.

Another petition to the late President John Evans Atta Mills was acknowledged by Mr J.K. Bebaako-Mensah, former Secretary to the President.

He said on July 27, 2012, Mr Chris Azumah, Director of Human Resource, signed a letter on behalf of the then Minister of Transport, saying the sector Ministry had been directed by government to resolve the impasse between the ex-workers and the GPHA.

A meeting was therefore organised on August 2, 2012 at the Ministry’s conference room but up to date the workers have not received any positive response.