Metro Mass workers stage protest to back demands

Workers at the Technical Department of the Metro Mass Transit Ltd (MMT) yesterday picketed at the head office of the company in Accra against what they called “unfair treatment” by their management.

The workers, who have been on a sit-down strike since January 16, 2016, complained about salary disparities, inadequate protective equipment and an improper method of measuring their output.

Frustration

Speaking to the Daily Graphic on the company’s premises during yesterday’s protest, some of the workers claimed that attempts to get their grievances addressed through the laid-down channel had proved futile.

“All the time the people at the top keep telling us that things are in the pipeline. How long will they continue to be in the pipeline? What if the pipeline bursts? We cannot even talk to the managing director to address our grievances,” the leader of the group (name withheld) said.

Some of the workers carried placards with inscriptions such as: “We want to meet the MD” and “No MD, no meeting”, amid chanting in a charged mood.

The situation calmed down when the Managing Director, Mr Al-Hassan Ligbi, met with the protesting workers behind closed doors.

Briefing
Later briefing the Daily Graphic, the acting Head of Communications at the MMT, Ms Bernice Akologo, said the discussions were fruitful.
She said some of the issues raised concerned salary increment, safety gadgets to protect the workers and the provision of a pick-up to aid their prompt response to break-down vehicles.

She said the managing director promised to provide the workers with the pick-up within 30 days, adding that the issue of salary increment was being worked on holistically and that by March it would reflect in their pockets.

“He also told them that the procurement unit had been tasked to provide them with boots, overall uniforms and other safety equipment,” she said.

Background:
The MMT Ltd started operations in the country in March 2003. Currently, it has over 1,000 buses, out of which 666 are working efficiently.

The company has over 4,000 employees spread over the country.

The current MD, Mr Ligbi, assumed office in July 2015.