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24.05.2004 General News

Workers sacked over standoff

24.05.2004 LISTEN
By GNA

Mim (B/A), May 24, GNA- The management of Ayum Forest Products, a private wood processing company at Mim in the Asunafo District of Brong Ahafo has terminated the appointment of 99 workers.

They included three executive members of the company's local workers union, Mr. Richard Anane, Chairman, Mr. James Koomson, Vice-Chairman and Mr. Asare Bediako, Secretary.

The management's decision came in the wake of a three-day long standoff with the workers over outstanding salary arrears.

The more than 1,700 workers of the company embarked on a three-day peaceful demonstration to press home their demand for a 33.7 percent salary increase that the workers claimed was endorsed by management at an earlier meeting for payment at the end of April, this year.

The affected workers told Ghana News Agency that management failed to deliver on its promise and this prompted the peaceful demonstration. They said as at Monday, May 17, 60 of the dismissed workers had been paid their entitlements and ordered out of the company's premises, while the remaining 39 were yet to be paid.

Attempts by newsmen to get management to tell their side of the story proved futile.

Meanwhile police re-enforcement from Sunyani was sent to protect the company's properties.

Some of the workers said an attempt by the Member of Parliament for the area, Mr. Ben Osei-Kufuor, to get the issue resolved amicably was resisted by the aggrieved workers.

When the police was contacted, it confirmed the story.

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