The dispute between workers and management of PSC Tema Shipyard seems to defy easy resolution. The shipyard, formerly Tema Shipyard and Drydock, has been embroiled in controversy ever since it was divested in 1996. The workers have made repeated allegations of mismanagement against their Malaysian managers, who hold 60 per cent shares of the company. The Ghana government holds the remaining 40 per cent.

The Malaysian managers deserted the yard nearly a month ago citing fears for their lives. This follows a stalemate in salary negotiations with the workers. The workers say their management has refused to sign their collective bargaining certificate since December last year.

In the latest development the Malaysian managers, who have been absent from the yard have refused to release funds for the running of the yard as well as salaries and allowances for the workers. The workers issued an ultimatum last week demanding an increment of salaries to the equivalent of 100 dollars as minimum salary.

The workers have threatened to march to the Ports and Harbours Ministry if the shipyard’s managers fail to grant their demand and conclude collective bargaining agreement negotiations on Friday.

The Secretary of the Workers’ Local Union, Samuel Owusu Appiah told Joy FM that workers are paid an inadequate equivalent of 50 dollars (?450,000) Meanwhile, sources close to the shipyard’s management have told JOY FM it is impossible to increase salaries without the approval of the company’s Malaysian board of directors. Most of them are currently abroad.

The PSC Tema shipyard has been hit by a series of industrial upsets following protests from workers against the management style of its Malaysian managers. The workers have petitioned government to take over the company since the Malaysians have not fully paid up for their 60 per cent shareholdings.

Business focus group of Malaysia bought the company formerly known as Tema Ship Yard and Dry Dock for 4.3 million dollars in 1997 but are still in arrears as they paid only 2.7 million dollars and have not injected any capital into the company’s operations after taking over.