Nine workers of SKARM Construction and Engineering Services Limited in Takoradi have been sacked for joining a union.
The nine believed to be executives of the company’s local union are said to have breached their agreement with the company.
[contextly_sidebar id=”pc6rQ8f0FEowkaTQU9eeBnrQcbnvlOfL”]However speaking to Citi News the Secretary of the union, Charles Ocran denied signing any contract with the company that bars them from joining any union.
He said, “After we served the 6 months maximum probation period we were not given any contract form so we decided to talk to management about it,” adding tht all attempts to engage management of the company for discussions on their appointment letters proved futile.
“We do not have any contract; with SKARM nor have seen one. Some of us have worked with the company for more than five years. The only document we have from the company is our monthly pay slips,” he fumed.
The senior industrial relations officer for construction and building materials workers union, Richard Asamoah Mensah told Citi News that the workers have been victimized.
He said the union had on several occasions requested to meet management of the company but to no avail.
Meanwhile, the nine affected workers headed for work on Wednesday morning only to be asked to stay outside the premises of the company.
The matter has been reported to the Western Regional Labour officer, Madam Betty Acquah.
She admitted dealing with a matter involving SKARM Construction and Engineering Services Limited and workers over unionization when she arrived at the site.
After speaking with management, she told the workers to head for the national labour commission or the law court since the two factions are divided over matter.
“The employer said he has not declared them redundant but has moved into a termination clause on their contract agreement. Management told me they do not have a copy of the contract when I asked to see one. So it will be very wise you head to court or the National Labour Union,” she advised.
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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana