Twelve MODEC workers on Tuesday withdrew their services from MODEC, the company operating the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah, to show solidarity to their colleagues who were dismissed on Monday.
On October 29th, about 40 Ghanaian workers embarked on a sit down strike to protest poor working conditions and remunerations as compared to their foreign colleagues.
They [workers] were awaiting final deliberations on Wednesday after signing an MoU with MODEC only to be issued dismissal letters on Monday.
The Vice Chairman of MODEC Ghana, Patrick Ahiagyi said: “for now the National Union is writing a letter to MODEC management in reply to the letter that was sent down indicating their violation of the MOU signed and asking them to reinstate the people unconditionally so we go back to the drawing board.”
A formal protest letter is expected to be presented to the company and copied to the Petroleum Commission, the Ministries of Energy and Employment and Labour Relations by the workers.
“All the workers of the FPSO, the locals who are members of the Union are also asking questions, they are all withdrawing their services in solidarity with their workers,”Ahiagyi added.
Some of the workers whose contracts have been terminated are demanding that government and the Petroleum Commission immediately intervenes.
“All we are looking for is that there should be justice. Our salary disparities is what we are fighting against… the matter lies with the TUC as our mother union and that is why we are having a meeting. Until the problem is solved, no one is going to work.”
Business World (with notes from citifmonline)