Zoomlion Ghana Limited has pledged to clear nine months of unpaid salaries owed to its employees by December, following growing discontent among workers over the prolonged delay in payments.
Speaking on Okay FM’s Ade Akye Abia show, Madam Emma Adwoa Osei Duah, Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs for Zoomlion, acknowledged the arrears and outlined the company’s efforts to address the issue.
She explained that financial constraints have been a recurring challenge, but assured that the company is working to resolve the situation.
“We have to get money first to pay, then Contrage comes in before the government brings the money in some three months. This is not the first time such a thing like non-payment has happened, but we make sure we get money to pay them,” she noted.
Madam Osei Duah further revealed that the company is making arrangements to settle some of the outstanding payments, with plans to have everything cleared by December.
Her comments come as a group of Zoomlion workers are demanding their long-overdue salaries, with some expressing deep frustration over the impact of the delay on their lives. One worker highlighted the dire situation, revealing that they receive just GH¢250 per month, which translates to about GH¢8 per day.
“Two people are dead as I speak, and we buried one last Saturday. We don’t have money for medication. The salary is GH¢250 a month, which means about GH¢8 per day. Now, as we enter October, it becomes ten months without pay. How do we take care of our children in school? How do we get medication when we are sick?” she lamented.
The worker also voiced concerns over the lack of support for the families of deceased colleagues, who passed away without the company offering financial assistance for their funerals or benefits for their loved ones.
“When someone dies in service, the company doesn’t contribute anything towards the funeral. We, the leaders, have to push for the arrears to be given to the children of the deceased. There are no allowances or health insurance. Some of us have worked for 15 to 17 years without any pension or designated healthcare facilities,” she added.
Management has attributed the payment delays to contractors, but the workers argue that there is confusion over who is truly responsible for the holdup. “Contractors say they don’t owe any money, but our leaders say the government has to pay them before they can pay us. So, who is holding our money?” one worker questioned.
In response, the group is calling on relevant authorities to step in, seeking not only the unpaid wages but also a review of their salaries to reflect current living conditions and help them regain their dignity.
The Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) mandates that employees must be paid in a timely manner. Moreover, the National Tripartite Committee recently increased the national daily minimum wage from GH¢14.88 to GH¢18.15, effective from January 1, 2024. Workers are hopeful that this increase, alongside the company’s promise to clear arrears, will offer some relief.