Tema-Akosombo railway construction workers embark on sit down strike

Over 200 workers of AFCONS Infrastructure Limited, the company  building the 85 kilometre railway line from Tema to Akosombo, have laid down their tools.

The workers on Monday demonstrated against their management over what they claim  is  “a disparage in their working conditions. “

Mr. Godwin Kwame Sodzi, spokesperson for the workers, told the media that, the management of AFCONS Infrastructure Limited had over the years refused to pay them what they signed on to.

According to the conditions on the contract form, workers were supposed to join any trade union of their choice but authorities have denied them that right, Sodzi said.

He also stated that, workers’ overtime, has not been paid, a situation he said was very disturbing and unacceptable.

Mr. Joseph Tetteh, another agitated worker, revealed that, workers on the single standard gauge railway line from Tema -Akosombo put their lives at risk on daily basis only to earn meager salaries.

According to him, anytime the workers’ leadership tried to get their issues across, they were victimized or sacked, adding that, “Over 100 workers have been dismissed since 2018”.

Mr. William Attipoe, Compliance and Liaison Officer at the AFCONS Infrastructural Limited, reacting to the workers concerns, debunked their assertions, describing them as not the true reflections on the ground.

Mr Attipoe mentioned that AFCONS has no power to decide who joined a trade union or otherwise, saying that it was the responsibility of the third party entities who recruited the workers.

The liaison officer again said the salary plan for each group of workers differed based on their qualifications.

This is the second time workers of AFCONS have laid down their tools over poor working conditions.

Source: GNA