"We need our salary now" - OSA Workers

Workers of Omnibus Service Authority (OSA) on Thursday called on management to pay them their salary arrears immediately.

At a demonstration to back their demand, a spokesman for the workers who wants to be anonymous told the Ghana News Agency that management has been insensitive to their plight and demanded payment of all outstanding bills and salaries.

For the past two months Accra staff have not received their salaries while those in the regions have not been paid for over eight months.

Their hospital bills, overnight allowances and other entitlements have not been paid but management and board members continue to enjoy all their benefits.

The spokesman also claimed that management, over the years, has borrowed about 500 million cedis from the Workers Welfare Fund but has not shown any sign of repaying.

Mr E. A. Opoku, General Manager for Operations, confirmed the allegations and appealed to the government to clarify its position on the company's divestiture to save OSA from financial difficulties.

He said the company has been on the divestiture list since 1995 and this has affected its operations and grounded its ability to generate revenue. ''We urge the government to either continue with the intended divestiture or re-inject capital to revitalise our operations''.

Mr Opoku said the company now operates with only 50 buses with a work force of 897, and this is draining its finances. He said management has been depending on financial institutions for its re-capitalisation but recent media publications on the company's activities have had adverse effect on its operations.

''Management faces both internal and external pressures from its creditors and negotiations with some have not been going on well. We appeal to the workers to exercise restraint''.

Mr Opoku said the plight of the workers is of major concern to management and all avenues would be explored to find solution to the difficulties. “Management will work out strategies to mobilise funds to cushion the harsh financial problem of workers. Actual salaries will be paid within the shortest possible time''.

He commended the workers for their support and cooperation in the past and assured them of management's determination to lift the company from the doldrums