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500 Taadi Interchange workers laid off due to IMF demands – Over 500 people who were hired to work on the Takoradi Market Circle project and the Western Region’s very first interchange have been let go from their jobs.
Richard Asamoah Mensah, the General Secretary of the Construction and Building Material Workers Union of TUC, confirmed the news to Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson, the host of Connect FM’s Omanbapa morning show. He also indicated that the development is as a result of the upcoming deal with the IMF.
“The PTC interchange project is currently on hold and all 453 local workers have been asked to go home. The Market Circle project is progressing at a slow pace, 121 workers have been laid off and those still engaged are not being paid. As I speak to you, I’m told the rest of the workers have been asked to go home. I have had meetings with the contractors and they tell me funds have not been released to them due to the IMF deal,” he disclosed.
He goes on to say that his office has had multiple interactions with the ministers who are directly in charge of the projects, but the outcome has not been successful in any of those discussions.
According to him, the new development will cause a delay in the progress that is being made on the project, which is currently 80 percent complete.
“Work on those projects is left with only 20 percent to be completed. They are grant projects but since the funds are not forthcoming, the workers are suffering. I have had interactions with the ministers directly involved but it seems they are helpless. The IMF deal is preventing the Chinese government from releasing the funds needed for the project. We are only hoping the situation will improve,” Mr. Asamoah Mensah cried out.
Sadly, these are not the only victims in the construction industry employment.
A week ago, Mr. Mensah alleged about 3,000 workers in the industry have been laid off.
According to him, Contracta, the company working on the Takoradi market circle, has laid off 121 workers in Takoradi; 339 workers in Kumasi.
Sinohydro, has laid off 453 workers in Takoradi, 109 workers in Sunyani; and 223 workers in Kumasi.
In the rail sector, Via Build has laid off 41 workers in Takoradi, with Amandi laying off 1500 throughout the whole country. Rolider has also laid off 359 from their operation sites throughout the country.
