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31.10.2014 Business & Finance

Dangote Cement Workers On Strike

By Daily Guide
Dangote Cement Workers On Strike
31.10.2014 LISTEN

Some of the workers agitating at the entrance of the factory.

The workers' union of the largest cement manufacturer in Africa, Dangote Cement has embarked on a sit-down strike to register its displeasure with low salaries and poor conditions of service of workers at the Tema based firm.

The workers, who were clad in red, laid down their tools, saying some senior managers take monthly salaries of GH¢150.

According to them, until management of the company implements the collective bargaining agreement and increase their salaries by 40 percent annually, they would not cancel the strike.

They therefore demanded an increment in salaries and better working conditions to help them work effectively.

Kojo Grandomson Adomson, Union Secretary, who spoke to  BUSINESS GUIDE at the factory, explained that members of the union recently served notice that they would withdraw their services and demand better working conditions.

According to him, they embarked on the strike because management refused to address their grievances.

The Union Secretary noted though they had proposed a meeting with management to discuss their challenges after three failed attempts, they would not call off the strike.

He was of the view that per their working conditions, management was supposed to increase their salaries by 40 percent and also provide them with working gears.

As at the time of filing this report, management of Dangote was in a crunch meeting to deliberate over the issue.

The cement producing giant, which recently commissioned the largest cement plant in Africa, intends to increase its production in Ghana.

It intends to increase its capacity from more than 750,000 tonnes of cement to 1.5 million tonnes by the end of this year.

From Vincent Kubi

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