Sacked Workers Invade Factory
King’s Production Company, popularly known as Mega Cola Factory at Shell New Road, in the Eastend of Freetown, has been stormed by angry sacked workers whose services were terminated by management of the company for becoming members of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress (SLLC).
The workers barricaded the main entrance to the factory that paralyzed operations but for the timely intervention of officials of the Labor Congress who pacified and accompanied them to the Ministry of Labor to seek redress.
One of the affected workers, Mohamed Kargbo alleged that the Manager of the company, Kalie Ejazi is against workers joining any union which caters for their welfare revealing that Kalie Ejazi has sacked 56 workers in two weeks for associating themselves with the Labour Congress.
“We are actually maltreated and our human rights violated for belonging to any organization that seeks our interest. What is even disheartening is that management has employed other workers without giving us our benefits,†Mohamed Kargbo lamented.
Another worker, Abdulai Kamara stated that they have worked for nine months but that management reneged on honoring its obligation to NaSSIT on their behalf revealing, “management only paid to NaSSIT three out of the nine months we worked for and this is totally unacceptable.â€
A representative of SLLC revealed that this is not the first time workers of the company have complained the management that is averse to them joining a union adding, “how can a company prevent its workers from registering with the country’s Labor Congress that seeks the welfare of all workers nationwide?â€
It was also revealed that the company is in the habit of terminating the services of workers who are daring enough to join unions without paying their benefits.
The workers appealed to government and other stakeholders to swiftly intervene and address the issue that has the potential to create chaos as they added that the manager refers to himself as ‘Iron Stone’, an indication that he is unshakeable and above the law.
The lack of employment opportunities in the country has given foreign nationals a field day to take advantage of locals with impunity as those officials supposed to protect them are bribed. All efforts to reach Kalie Ejazi on Zain cell phone number 076-646767 for his response proved futile as his phone was switched off.
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2010, https:. All rights reserved.
