Business News of Wednesday, 17 December 2003

Source: GNA

GAFCO requests dismissed workers to re-apply

Tema, Dec 17, GNA- Management of the Ghana Agro-Food Company (GAFCO) has softened its stand on the wholesale dismissal of about 800 workers following the violent behaviour against the Personnel Manager of the company.

To this end management has put up notices requesting workers to re-apply.

Mr E.K. Degbor, Public Affairs Manager, told the GNA on Wednesday that out of the 200 workers who have re-applied, 100 of them have started working at the production plants to mill flour.

On December 1, workers of GAFCO assaulted Mr Frank Ocran, the Personnel Manager, and caused damage to property.

The workers who agreed to work today had to be under police escort in buses before they could enter the factory because those who have refused to re-apply are intimidating them.

Mr Degbor said the decision to dismiss the unionised staff and for them to re-apply was arrived at after extensive consultation with the Ghana Employers Association (GEA), the Labour Department and the Ministry of Manpower Development and Employment.

''We have realised that, that decision was harsh and it will negatively impact on all unionised staff including those whose loyal and commitment to the company can not be questioned'',