Forestry Commission Youth Champions lock-up Tamale office over unpaid walaries

Members of the Youth Champions Initiative under the Forestry Commission in the Tamale Central Constituency have locked up the Commission’s Tamale office to protest unpaid salaries.

The aggrieved workers barricaded the entrance of the office with wood and sticks and burnt plastic materials and firewood outside the premises as they demanded payment of their outstanding arrears.

According to the protesters, they have not received their salaries for more than nine months despite continuing to work under the initiative.

One of the beneficiaries, Alhassan Mohammed Rashad, said the group would not return to work until all outstanding payments were settled.

“We have been here for more than one year, and so far only four months’ salary has been paid. We are telling the central government that we cannot continue the work unless our arrears are paid,” he stated.

He appealed to the government to intervene and ensure the payment of their arrears to enable them to resume their duties.

The Northern Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, Kwasi Frimpong, commended the protesters for conducting their demonstration without damaging any property belonging to the Commission.

He assured them that their concerns would be forwarded to the authorities in Accra for consideration.

“I have taken note of your grievances and will send them to Accra. We understand your situation; you can only work when you are paid because you have families to cater for,” he said.

The protesters have vowed to remain off the job until their salary arrears are fully cleared.