Tema, Jan. 17, GNA - Employees of Golden Gate

Services Limited (GGSL), a private stevedoring company

operating at the Tema harbour, have expressed worry over their

January pay following a restructuring of the company. Expressing their apprehension at a press conference in

Tema on Saturday, the workers said the Ghana Ports and

Harbours Authority (GPHA) is dividing the company into two to

form a new one known as Cargo Systems Company Limited

(CSCL). Mr James J. Jebuni, General Secretary of the National

Union of Harbour Employees (Ghana), who addressed the press,

said in spite of the split, all employees were with the GGSL

operating under an allocation of 8.33 percent, which suggested that

only about half of the workforce would receive their pay. "Whilst GGSL is the sole employer of 100 percent of

the workforce but does 50 percent of job so who pays the

employees' emolument this month and who should be left out," he

asked. The General Secretary explained that generally a

stevedore company must satisfy requirements such as availability

of adequate equipment and other machinery, which have to be

physically inspected by the GPHA before awarding allocation. He said in the case of CSCL, the GPHA said the

company was yet to complete its registration process before

seeking a stevedore license. According to Mr Jebuni, contrary to laid down

requirements, the CSCL hired equipment from other companies to

operate describing the action as inappropriate. He produced series of letters indicating that the GPHA took

the action in consultations with the sector Minister. He appealed to President John Evans Atta Mills to move swiftly to bring sanity into the maritime industry and also revisit the contract of the Meridian Port Services Limited, which according to him enjoys more privileges than the local stevedore companies.