Workers at GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited have given management a three-day ultimatum to sort out and address six serious concerns or face the consequences in a show of impatience and discontent from staff.
The workers have called for the resignation of the Managing Director, Maxwell Kofi Jumah, so that the Interim Management Committee (IMC) can complete their work without interference.
According to the workers, the company’s fortunes have collapsed under Jumah’s leadership, and they blame him for its current position.
In response to the workers’ complaints, the Managing Director, Mr. Jumah has issued a directive via the workers’ WhatsApp platform, declaring that wearing red armbands to protest was only permissible outside but not within the GIHOC grounds. The directive heightened emotions, prompting a meeting between union representatives and the Kaneshie Police Commander.
Amidst the escalating situation, the company’s Board of Directors have issued a memo dissolving the Interim Management Committee (IMC) and reinstating Jumah as the substantive Managing Director. The decision has only intensified the workers’ frustration, as they believe the IMC was making progress in addressing the company’s challenges.
The return of Maxwell Kofi Jumah after a sick leave has fueled the workers’ rage. Workers accuse Jumah of running the company into the ground, resulting in its current plight.
The presence of a large number of police officers on the GIHOC grounds reflects the hostile environment surrounding the workers’ objection to Jumah’s return.
GHS 300m Debt Woes Plague GIHOC Distilleries Company
One of the main issues highlighted by the workers was the company’s huge accumulated debt of GH 300 million.
During a durbar held on May 4, 2023, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Michael Okyere Baafi disclosed this alarming figure, stating that Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and other suppliers are pressuring GIHOC and threatening to lock the company over unpaid obligations. This revelation has further fueled the workers’ anger and frustration.
The workers organized a protest at the corporate grounds to convey their discontent. They acknowledged their delight with the IMC’s initiatives and expressed hope for the committee’s success, urging that no outside meddling should derail their work.
Among the concerns highlighted by the workers was the management’s refusal to sign the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) since 2020. This failure to honor the CBA has created unrest and uncertainty among the workers, leaving them without proper employment protection and benefits.
Salary payment delays have also been a major source of frustration among workers. The employees seek an immediate resolution to the recurring issue of delayed monthly salary payments, which has been ongoing since September 2022. Some employees claim they have not received their March 2023 salary, increasing their financial difficulties.
Furthermore, the employees accuse management of failing to make Provident Fund and Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions. Contributions to the Provident Fund, as disclosed by the workers, have been in arrears since January 2022, while SSNIT contributions have gone unpaid for the past three months.
Moreover, the employees claim that they have not received overtime compensation since last year, despite being compelled to work on weekends.
Another concern raised by the workers was the nonpayment of the laundry allowance, as stated in Article 58 of their Collective Bargaining Agreement. Despite repeated reminders by union leaders, management has failed to fulfill this obligation, further straining the relationship between the workers and the company.
Another issue brought up by the workers was the failure to pay the laundry allowance, as specified in Article 58 of their Collective Bargaining Agreement. Despite numerous reminders from union leaders, management has failed to meet this commitment, severely hurting the workers’ relationship with the corporation.
Read also: Finance Ministry Engages Traders in Accra on Fraudulent Financial Schemes
