Port Casual Workers On Strike

...clash with security forces

CASUAL WORKERS at the Tema Port, numbering about 2,000, have embarked on a strike action to demand unsettled arrears from their former employer, the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority (GPHA).

As a result, stevedoring activities at the Tema Port almost came to a halt for two consecutive days.

The Dock Labour Company Limited (DLCL), an amalgamation of about seven stevedoring companies registered to supply dock labour have begun recruiting new hands to replace the striking workers.

In the meantime, a contingent of policemen from Tema and Accra, backed by two water cannons, went in yesterday to secure the port installation from attacks by the striking workers.

A number of soldiers from the First Battalion of Infantry have camped near the port, standing by to assist their colleagues if the need arises.

Four policemen reportedly got injured, when the police clashed with the stone throwing dockworkers.

This problem began in the middle of last year as the GPHA was preparing to become a landlord.

A section of the workers are alleging that they were cheated when the authority was preparing severance benefits for them.

Occasionally, this issue had been cropping up but in all cases the security agencies were able to ward off the workers' attack.

At the time this reporter visited the port, a number of vessels anchored there were without labour.

Official sources of the DLCL promised that a number of the casuals were ready to work but feared intimidation hence the police presence at the labour pool was intensified.

The sources said from the ongoing registration full work is likely to resume today.

Tema Port officials were not readily available to comment, but it is clear their former employees are fighting a lost battle.