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Momodou
Denmark
11745 Posts |
 Posted - 18 Jan 2007 : 14:53:01
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BAC CLEANSING SERVICE LABOURERS TO GO ON STRIKE IF....
By Amie Sanneh
Reports reaching this paper have it that the labourers of the Brikama Area Council (BAC) Cleansing Service are threatening to embark on a sit down strike if their demands are not met by the council. The workers demand the council to improve their working conditions, such as the staffing of some of the casual workers who have been with the council for the past ten years. They also said that they want to have access to medical care. According to them ten cleansing service workers have died during the past three years and this is due to the poor working conditions they are forced to work under. The sources added that the workers are also recommending to have off days because they are not presently accorded off days.
When the Manager of the BAC's cleansing service, Abdoulie M.K Touray, was contacted, he said he was not aware of any such plan to go on strike by BAC employees. Commenting on the demands of the cleansing service workers, he said they are normally provided with masks, uniforms, rain boots, etc. When asked how often, Mr. Touray noted that they normally do it yearly but due to conditions they were unable to provide them with masks but uniforms were given to them.
He said that sometimes they do have breakdowns with transports but they do try to face the challenges. The cleansing Manager revealed that they do not have any outside funding and their main sources of getting money are licenses, rates and collection of taxes which they utilize to address the council's needs.
Mr. Touray acknowledged that labourers in such working conditions should be provided with basic protection but due to constrains they are unable to. "As you can see we are just from a Senior Management meeting," he remarked. He said during the meeting they raised the issue of medication for the laboureres. He added that in 2007, they will arrange for them to undergo medical examination from time to time.
Mr. Touray however urged the workers to join hands and work for the betterment of the environment. He thanked the cleansing service workers for their dedication to duty. "They are hardworking and we promised them that in the year 2007, they will see a greater improvement, he said.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of BAC cleansing service, Serigne Modou Joof, claimed all those who have been working there for the past ten years are staffed. He said that such a situation used to happen before, but now every five years, they staff them. Mr. Joof further claimed that those who are presently not staffed are with two years of service and some did not even spend two months there.
Commenting on the issue of off days for these laboureres, he said in any government institution, when services are needed you are called upon. Mr. Joof added this is part of the regulations which is normally included in the terms of employment which require them to report to work whenever they are needed. With regards to the deaths of ten of their staff members, Mr. Joof revealed that they have not received any medical report indicating that they died due to the poor conditions they work under.
"We are now going to make it a rule for them to undergo medical examination every forth night. 'The health aspect of workers of the council, especially the laboureres, has been and will continue to be a priority," he remarked. Mr. Joof pointed out that they will do their level best to see to it that they are protected at all times.
He urged them to be law abiding, disciplined and hardworking and noting that it is through, such, that they can lift the council to higher heights and boost their moral and image.
Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No.007/2007, 17-18 January, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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