Be Reasonable � Mahama To Juapong Textiles Workers

President John Mahama has advised workers of Volta Star Textiles to reconsider their demand for the GHc 6.1 million meant for the recapitalization of the factory to be used to pay their seven-month accumulated salaries.

The Volta star textiles limited, a successor to Juapong textiles limited established in 1968, is to primarily produce and supply grey baft to feed other Ghanaian industries.

Since its establishment, frequent changes in management have hampered its growth. The company folded up in 2005 following a file for liquidation by the Dutch giant, Briscoe, which was then operating it.

However, the government in May 2007 under the NPP reactivated the company and injected a seed capital of GHc 3 million in 2008. The company employs over 1000 workers directly and indirectly provides jobs for other businesses in the textile industries.

Eight years on, the company again faces imminent collapse as management grapples with poor working conditions and inability to generate enough profit for its operations.

Among the many problems is the company’s inability to pay a seven-month salary arrears for its workers and outstanding electricity bills. Currently operations at the factory have been suspended as workers have laid down tools.

But addressing the chiefs and people of Todome-kpalime during an inspection tour on the eastern corridor roads, President Mahama disclosed that a GHc6.1m seed capital has again been injected and workers are demanding the money be used for payment of their outstanding salaries.

He advised some of the workers who took advantage of the durbar to meet the President to register their demands and the President also asked the workers to be reasonable.