Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO), West Africa’s sole aluminum smelting company, has ceased operations due to worker agitation.
It is unclear what factors influenced management’s decision to close the facility, but sources say the decision was motivated by growing insecurity within the company.
Workers at Ghana’s aluminum smelting company VALCO were caught off guard on Tuesday morning when the Ghana Grid Company GRIDCo disconnected the company from its grid based on a directive from the company’s management.
The directive is said to have been informed by growing agitations by workers of the company who have been demonstrating over poor remuneration since last week. Despite the presence of military and police personnel, workers have been demanding the removal of their retiree management team among other issues.
However, Tuesday’s directive to shut down the plant has left many workers in disbelief. Addressing the press yesterday, the Chairman of the Local Union, Edgar Tetteh denied reports that the directive by management was a result of their refusal to work. He said they have been working despite the ongoing agitations
Vice chairman of the Union, Nana Agyemang added that their demand to be paid in dollars forms part of their bargaining agreement, which needed to be respected
As of yesterday’s press time, Energy Minister Mathew Opoku was scheduled to meet with management and the local union to find a long-term solution to the problem.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Philip Azu
