Zoomlion Ghana Limited has come under intense scrutiny from the public following revelations that their workers receive a monthly wage of ₵258. Ghanaians have expressed outrage, particularly on social media, over what they deem as an unfairly low wage for workers providing essential services, primarily in waste management across the country.
In response to the criticisms, Emma Adwoa Appiah Osei-Duah, the Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs at Zoomlion, addressed the issue. According to her, Zoomlion itself is not pleased with the wages their workers currently receive but clarified that the payment terms are a result of contracts that have been agreed upon by the involved parties, including governmental bodies and other stakeholders.
“We [Zoomlion] are not happy about the ₵258 monthly wages our workers receive,” said Osei-Duah, in a statement. “However, it is in a contract which has been agreed upon by the parties involved.” Her statement highlighted the fact that while Zoomlion sympathizes with the workers’ concerns and public sentiments, their hands are tied due to pre-existing agreements.
The ₵258 wage, which has sparked the outrage, has been criticized as insufficient to meet the basic cost of living in Ghana. Many have argued that workers in critical sectors like waste management deserve better compensation, given the health risks and demanding nature of their work.
In her statement, Osei-Duah also emphasized that Zoomlion is committed to exploring ways to improve the conditions of its workforce. She noted that the company recognizes the importance of its workers and expressed hope for the possibility of renegotiating contracts in the future to reflect more appropriate wages.
Zoomlion is one of the largest waste management companies in Ghana, employing thousands of workers across the country. Their services are crucial in maintaining sanitation and environmental cleanliness, which makes the issue of workers’ welfare a subject of great concern. With public pressure mounting, it is expected that the issue will remain at the forefront of discussions on labor rights and fair compensation in the coming weeks.
The company’s response has, however, left many still dissatisfied, as citizens and workers continue to call for immediate action to address the pay disparity. Public attention is now shifting towards the government and regulatory bodies to see if any interventions will be made to revise the contractual obligations that currently dictate the workers’ wages.
Source: GH Page Official Facebook Page
