Sea defence workers on strike

Construction Work at the Keta Sea Defence site at Havedzi has come to a halt for the third day running following a sit-down strike by the workers in demand for unionisation under the Maritime and Dock Workers Union (MDU).

They are also demanding the introduction of risk, night and overtime allowances and a stop to alleged racist attitudes of the expatriate staff.

When the Ghana News Agency visited the project site on Sunday, most of the over 200 Ghanaian workers were wearing red arm and head bands. Their spokesman, who wants to be anonymous, said though they have completed arrangements for their unionisation under the MDU, Mr Garry Shark, the Project Manager has taken an entrenched position that they could only unionise under the Civil Engineering and Construction Workers Union.

He said the refusal of management to formally employ them through appointments and the delay in their unionisation make it difficult for them to bargain over issues affecting them. The spokesman said they are neither paid overtime, risk allowances nor allowed public holidays. They are marked absent when they are sick and officially attend hospital. He said sometimes they are kept working from 6am to 3am the following day apart from having to work under water in the night to change anchor for the dredger to move.

According to the spokesman the workers are paid between 450 and 716 cedis per hour without overtime while the project manager gets 400 dollars monthly allowance for his dog. He said social security deductions are made on their salaries even though management has not demanded their social security numbers.

On the racism allegation, the spokesman said the expatriate staff often address them as stupid, lazy and useless Negroes, adding that recently an expatriate staff poured water on two workers who were resting during break hours. The spokesman further alleged that management refused to assist the security man who was recently shot by armed robbers to attend hospital to have the bullet removed from his body.

He said 12 workers have been dismissed under questionable circumstances. Mr Shark has however declined any comments on the workers' allegations.