Workers accuse Chinese company of maltreatment

Tadzewu (V/R), Jun 8, GNA - Tension is mounting among the 221 Ghanaian workforce of the China Jiangxi International and Technical Cooperation (CJIC) engaged on the Akatsi-Tadzewu-Dzodze- Akanu road over alleged bad treatment by the Chinese management.

The workers accused management of wrongful and frequent dismissals, under payment, failure to provide them with safety gadgets and refusal to pay compensation to workers who died or suffered permanent disabilities on duty.


They have therefore appealed to the Minister of Roads and Highways to intervene to ensure a peaceful industrial atmosphere on the project. A Spokesperson for the workers told the Ghana News Agency at Tadzewu that one Sisu Iddi, who had his left leg amputated after it was crushed by a pay-loader and the family of James Tuglo, a quarry crasher operator who was milled to death when he fell into the quarry mill, has not been compensated. He alleged that Iddi had been dumped by management at his home town near Tamale.


The Spokesperson said management has also been frustrating attempts by the workers to form a union under the Construction and Building Material Workers Union (CBMWU) of the TUC.


He said they have been working as casual workers and they do not know the hourly rate used in calculating their wages neither were they provided pay slips to enable them cross check the basis for calculating their wages. The spokesperson said the company does not provide any medical package for the workers who have to take care of their own medical problems. Ms Richlove Avedzi, CBMWU Assistant Industrial Relations Officer, said her visit to assist with the formation of a union was fiercely objected to by management who threatened to cause her arrest.

She said last year the CBMWU, under the supervision of Volta Regional Secretary of the TUC Maxwell Akoto-Mireku, held executive elections for the CJIC workers union at Tadzewu and submitted the list to management but management sacked the eight elected executives outright. The Company's Chief Accountant who gave his name as Vincent denied the allegations and alleged that "the TUC and the Union were introducing bad influence among our workers".


He said compensation was paid to Tuglo's family while that of Iddi was being worked out.


The Accountant said all dismissals were due to thefts. 08 June 10