Foil subtle moves to cheat workers, says unionist

Accra, Jan. 11, GNA- Mr Pius Quainoo, the General Secretary of the Construction and Building Materials Workers Union (CBMWU) of the Trades Union Congress, on Thursday appealed to the government to check employers in the construction industry who frustrate their workers' attempts to earn promotion to the highest rank.

He said one of the moves is that permanent employees are sacked and told to reapply and those including senior officers who comply are recruited as casual workers.

Addressing a meeting of the Greater Accra Regional Council branch of CBMWU in Accra Mr Quainoo said, "through that practice, the workers lose all seniority rights and any other benefits that accrue to a worker for being long with one employer".

He said some of the offenders do not belong to Ghana Employers' Association that could help in resolving the issue.

He appealed to employees who do not have any union affiliation to register with the CBMWU to enable the union to protect their interest. Mr Quainoo expressed concern about recent spate of buildings collapsing and appealed to the government to institute public enquiry into the matter for lasting solution and added that the union is willing to assist.

Mr Robert Appiah of Cemonit Limited was elected as the Regional Chairperson with Mr Henry Baah Anim and Mr James Sarpong as Vice Chairperson and Secretary respectively.

Others are, Mr Samuel Hammond, Assistant Secretary Mr Seth Adjetey, First Trustee, Mr Micheal Tetteh, Second Trustee. Mr Seth Thomas, Mr Arnold Tetteh and Mr Patrick Abannoh Dadzie were elected as executives.