Soakage, Sept 28, GNA-Work on the Sogakope-Akatsi portion of the Aflao-Accra highway came to a halt following a strike action by workers over alleged salary problems and racist attitude of their Chinese employers.
The workers claimed there was no option than to embark on the action since management of the China Water and Electrical Company (CWEC), their employers, had refused to negotiate with them. The workers demanded the immediate recall of 30 of their colleagues, who were sacked at the start of the agitation.
The workers, who were locked out by management since Monday, only went to the vicinity of the Company to drum, dance and set tyres ablaze. A leader of the workers, who spoke on anonymity, said they were demanding an increase of GHc 2 daily wage and the opportunity to form a Union. He also demanded that the Company should stop the deliberate under calculation of overtime and that workers should be given full daily wage during off-days and when on sick leave. The leader accused management of persistently refusing to provide transport for workers and that those who closed at midnight walked home. The Spokesman expressed worry that even though the Trades Union Congress and the District Assembly were contacted for assistance, no action was taken.
Miss. Kate Aglah, South-Tongu District Chief Executive, told GNA that the striking workers did not listen to her advice to discontinue the strike while their grievances were addressed, and said promised to help address the complaints.
