General News of Sunday, 1 November 2015

Source: ultimate1069.com

Ablakwa deceived us - Angry Juapong textile workers

File photo File photo

Aggrieved workers of the Volta Star Textiles Limited at Juapong in the North Tongu district of the Volta Region have accused the Deputy Minister of Education and Member of Parliament (MP) for the area Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa of reneging on his promise.

The group claimed the minister promised three months ago to secure a loan from the Export Development and Agricultural Investment Fund (EDAIF) to help offset their salary arrears and prevailed on them to back down on a planned demonstration.

But the Deputy Minister they indicate has since failed to fulfill his part of the bargain leaving the over 1200 workers to their fate.

The angry workers who embark on a demonstration today burning lorry tyres at the entrance of the company to prevent anyone from entering the premises and chanting war songs, resolved to have the company sealed off until their grievances are fully addressed.

Esianyo Lord Spokesperson of the aggrieved workers told ultimate1069.com that they have had enough of the sweet talk and the patience of workers has finally reached its apex.

“We are no longer interested in sugarcoated promises. Give us what duly is ours”, he said.

According to him, some of his colleagues out of frustration have committed suicide while others voluntarily abandoned the job because their wives had threatened to divorce them alleging they were unproductive.

“We were more than 1200 but due to the financial constraints, many left the job while others committed suicides out of frustration”, he disclosed.

The rest of them he stated agreed to stay back but are unable to fend for their families and will only resume work if monies owed them are settled in full.

All attempts to talk to management of the company proved futile as no one is willing to comment on the matter.