Kpone Factory Locks Out Workers

OVER 600 workers of the Western Steel and Forging Limited at Kpone, near Tema, have been locked out as management shut down the company indefinitely, after the workers allegedly embarked on strike on Wednesday. The workers, who engaged in a demonstration inside the factory, refused to work demanding the dismissal of Mr Kyeremeh Kofi Awuah, the Human Resource Manager.

The four-year-old company manufactures iron rods and forging of metals.

They accused Mr Awuah of not guaranteeing their requests for loans and ignoring their welfare issues including accidents.

Other allegations were that, some new employees were being paid more than their seniors, while overtime claims were not calculated in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.

On Thursday when the Ghana News Agency went to the premises, the gates of the company were firmly shut and guarded by the police and the company’s security personnel while the workers stood in groups outside discussing their plight.

Mr Michael Koompon, a leader of the workers, alleged that management has refused to heed to their demands leading to the “peaceful demonstration” on Wednesday.

Mr Koompon further claimed that the police forcibly sacked the workers from the company premises on Wednesday evening and arrested four workers for no cause. Several others were assaulted and wounded with rubber bullets.

Mr Awuah however told the GNA that on March 18 the workers laid some grievances before management including the termination of his appointment.

Mr Awuah said they also demanded to withdraw the General Manufacturers and Metal Workers Union to which they belong.

Based on their demands, management have been meeting with the leadership of the workers to address their concerns, adding that, the latest meeting before the strike was held on April 22.