Retrenched cotton workers go on hunger strike

Bolgatanga, Aug 25, GNA – Some retrenched workers of the Ghana Cotton Company (GCC) in Bolgatanga are on hunger strike and they and their colleagues on Thursday reiterated their appeal to government to ensure that their severance awards are paid them.

The workers, about 80 and five of whom are on hunger strike, have decided to spend normal working hours at the premises of their former offices daily as they have nothing to do at home.

Mr Matthias Abem, former National Chairman of the Senior Workers Union of the company, told the GNA that they had been retrenched since February 2011 and were promised severance award the following month but since then they had not received anything.

He said life without money had become very difficult as they have families to care for, children’s school fees to pay and other responsibilities.

“On behalf of my colleagues, I am appealing to the government to come to our aid now because life is becoming unbearable”, Mr Abem said.

Mr Ignatius Seweh, one of the retrenched workers on hunger strike, said the pressure to meet family demands and carry on with his responsibilities was too much and the suffering from hunger was less painful.

“I am not alone in this and I will go on without food for as long as it will take to draw the attention of those in authority to help us or for as long as it will take for me to die”, he said.

In February 2011, the business of GCC was put in the care of some private companies and the workers were laid off without compensation.