Workers of the Ghana Bauxite Company in Awaso in the Western North region have justified the burning of company property during a violent protest.
An aggrieved worker, who only gave his name as Smart Junior, in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem explained that, their action was borne out of fiery after management turned a blind eye and deaf ear to their concerns.
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Meanwhile, management of the Ghana Bauxite Company has shutdown after the peaceful demonstration turned violent. The angry workers burnt company bungalows, offices and cars over poor working conditions.
Smart Junior said if management had acted on their demands of better working conditions and formation of a worker’s union to protect their interest, the burning would not have happened.
What broke the camel’s back, he noted, was the sacking of 16 people while negotiation to allow them form a union was ongoing.
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“We can’t be blamed for our actions because management pushed us to the wall. If they had allowed us to form a union, this won’t have happened,” he stated in Twi.
He cited how workers of the mother company had health insurance and other benefits while they, the contract workers, don’t enjoy same to corroborate his claim.
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Smart Junior said though they have expressed remorse for their action, the demand for a union is still high on their agenda. Meanwhile, there is a scheduled meeting between the chiefs, elders as well as political and security agency heads to settle the impasse and forge ahead. Â
Source: Ghana|Adomonline.com|Adwoa Gyasiwaa Agyeman