2500 workers face retrenchment

The sit-down strike action embarked upon by the workers of the Naja David Veneer and Plywood Limited; otherwise known as BondPlex and the A.G Timbers has taken a new twist with a decision by management calling for fresh applications from workers.

The management of the company closed down the company last week Friday due to workers agitations and called for new applications from interested workers. This action gives management the power to refuse the payments of ex-gratia and other emoluments due the over 2,500 workers of the company.

The issue was raised by the Trade Union congress representative representing the Labour front, Mr Joshua Asante when he spoke to Kapital Radio this morning. According to him, section 58and 59 of the Labour law bar workers from engaging in strike action hence the action! taken by the workers is illegal. This gives, management the authority to refuse payments of entitlements due workers.

This twist puts the demonstrating workers in a tight corner. But the workers have also repeated their earlier call for the dismissal of the personnel Manager, Mr Kofi Nti whom they claim has caused the nonpayment of weekly, medical and allowances before they go back to work.

The action taken by the management of Bondplex and A.G Timbers may have brought to the fore whether the new Labour law is worker friendly or not, and whether or not workers are well informed on the provisions in the law.