By: Hamza Lansah Lolly/Baba Mohammed Issahak
Over 650 railway workers have initiated a sit-down strike in protest against the government’s failure to pay their salaries for the past seven months.
The affected workers, stationed across various operational units, say their attempts to seek redress through management have yielded no results. The protest, which began on Monday, 13 May, has brought several railway activities to a halt, particularly in the industrial hub of Tema.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Franklin Kobilah, the branch secretary for the railway workers in Tema, expressed deep frustration over the prolonged delay in salary payments.
“We have not been paid for the last seven months,” Mr. Kobilah said. “We were told that there was no sector minister to attend to the railway issues, so we waited patiently. But after the appointment and approval of the new minister, we still haven’t heard anything.”
According to Mr. Kobilah, the newly appointed Minister for Railway Development ordered a headcount of all staff to verify the actual workforce before disbursing salaries. Workers cooperated fully, believing payment would begin shortly after May Day.
“They came and took every particular of us,” he recounted. “We were told that just after May Day, we would receive our salaries. But today is the 13th, and nothing has been heard.”
The workers say they are no longer able to bear the financial burden and are demanding immediate payment. They have vowed to remain on strike until their salaries are paid in full.
Government and railway authorities have yet to issue an official response to the strike.
