EU China Mall workers protest unfair salary
and inhumane working conditions
Employees
at the recently commissioned EU China Mall in the Northern Regional capital,
Tamale, have laid down their tools in protest against unfair conditions of
service particularly meagre remunerations and inhumane treatment.
According
to them, hitherto their employment, they were made to work for ninety (90) days
on probation. Their duty was to stock the mall with new items to be sold, and
restock after sale.
Narrating
their ordeal, one of the employees (a lady) said they are denied breaking
periods that could afford them some rest after working for a long period during
the day. One is equally expected to work even when sick.
“When
you are even tired you can’t sit; even when you are sick you have to come to
work. Those who were sick and took some time off to rest were sacked when they
came to work”, she said.
She
added, that in the course of their work, some got injured but were ignored by
their employers to the extent that even when one is bereaved, employers care
less hence one cannot mourn the departed soul. In spite of all these, they did not
complain.
She
further explained that, without prior notice, they were given a contract
document to sign without reading and understanding the content of the contract
which they refused, instead, requested to read through it thoroughly and
provide the needed personal supporting documents. Their request was granted but
under condition of losing the job offer should any of them soil or make a mistake
in endorsing the contract document.
They
also complained about some unacceptable deductions made from their meagre salaries.
Though the company promised to pay them Seven Hundred Ghana cedis (Ghc700.00)
as their monthly income, they are only paid Ghc500.00 out of which Ghc100.00 is
deducted as payment for their work uniform. This leaves them with only
Ghc400.00 as their take home salary while working for about 14 hours a day.
Deductions
are also made whenever they excuse themselves for basic things such as
responding to nature's call which will drastically reduce their salaries to Ghc300.00.
With
the current economic hardship in the country, these employees cannot survive on
Ghc300.00 as monthly income.
They
are therefore calling on the government to come to their aid as they plead with
their employers to find an amicable solution to their plights.
Credit: Salawatu Zuberu.