Tension Mounts At Dangote Cement Over Poor Salary Issues… After 5-Years of No Increment

By Gifty Arthur

Tension is currently brewing among Ghanaian workers of popular cement production company, Dangote Cement Company, belonging to Africa’s richest business mogul, Aliko Dangote.

The Nigerian billionaire is rated the world’s 61st richest man and number one on the continent of Africa.

But his workers here in Ghana, have been agitating for some time now, as a result of the company’s failure to consider upping a little, salaries of its workers.

The situation has affected both permanent and contract staff of the Tema Port enclave.

According to The Anchor sources, the situation has persisted for over five years, even though, the employees say they have over the period questioned the motive behind the non-increments.

But in the midst of the current unprecedented economy hardship being experienced by Ghanaians, the workers have resurrected the call to have the company come to the negotiating table, for possible salary increments bargaining.

They say, owing to the current biting economic situation, they have come to their wit’s end, as their old salary levels are unable to stand the harsh living condition.

Even though their local union belongs to the Commercial Workers Union (ICU), the mother organization, has also failed to put the interest of the workers on the front burner.

Some of the workers, who spoke to this paper, regretted their membership of the Union has brought no benefit, as far as, their condition of service is concerned.

One of them who wants to remain anonymous, told this reporter, “Workers or union members, do not see the seriousness of ICU”.

Another concerned staff added: “There is nothing like condition of service. If someone goes on pension, there is nothing for the person apart from his or her Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT)”.

Dangote Cement workers joined the Industrial Workers Union five years ago, which incidentally happens to be the last time their salaries were increased. The company has been in Ghana for over a decade.

Before associating with ICU, the local union used to belong to Union of Industry Commerce and Finance Workers (UNICOF).

But due to this same salary issue, their local union executives were sacked from the company.

This resulted in the new executives joining ICU for better condition of service; but as it appears, the hope has been dashed.

The 64-year-old Nigerian founded and chairs the continent’s most diversified manufacturing conglomerate, Dangote Group. He owns 85% of publicly-traded Dangote Cement through a holding company.

Dangote Cement produces 45.6 million metric tons, annually, and has operations in 10 countries across Africa.

According to Forbes, Aliko Dangote’s net worth stands at $13.9 billion.

After many years in development, Dangote’s fertilizer plant in Nigeria began operations in mid-2021.

Dangote Refinery has also been under construction since 2016 and is expected to be one of the world’s largest oil refineries once complete.

source:theanchorghana