The management of Zoomlion Ghana Limited has responded to concerns raised by operatives under the Sanitation Module of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA). The company wishes to clarify its role and responsibilities in partnership with the Government of Ghana through the YEA, particularly regarding the payment of allowances to operatives.
Zoomlion is tasked with managing operatives and providing the necessary logistics such as uniforms, brooms, and other working tools. The company, however, emphasizes that the payment of allowances is solely determined and disbursed by the Government/YEA. Zoomlion’s role is to manage the day-to-day activities of operatives and disburse the funds once received from the government.
Key Clarifications Provided by Zoomlion Ghana Limited:
1. Payment of Allowances
The payment of allowances to YEA operatives is entirely at the discretion of the Government/YEA. Zoomlion does not determine the amount or timing of these payments; its role is limited to disbursing funds once they are released by the government.
2. Working Hours and Compensation
YEA operatives are required to work four hours per day, excluding Sundays. Zoomlion ensures that operatives who work beyond these contracted hours are compensated with allowances and, in some cases, provided with lunch.
3. Support for Workers
Though not mandated by the contract, Zoomlion has supported operatives facing injury or death on humanitarian grounds, including financial assistance for medical treatment. Operatives are also given appreciation gifts at the end of each year.
4. 18 Years of Commitment to YEA Workers
For nearly two decades, Zoomlion has maintained an unwavering partnership with YEA, ensuring timely payments and the well-being of workers. Zoomlion has also invested in the professional development of operatives through training programs, allowing many to acquire specialized skills, such as becoming certified truck drivers.
5. Clarification on Delayed Payments
Zoomlion understands the concerns surrounding delays in the payment of allowances in some regions. These delays are due to the non-disbursement of funds by the government. Nevertheless, on several occasions, Zoomlion has secured loans to pre-finance allowances as a gesture of goodwill, despite it not being part of their contractual obligations.
Zoomlion assures all YEA operatives and the public that it remains committed to supporting the operatives within the agreed framework and will continue collaborating closely with the government to ensure timely payments when funds are made available. The company encourages open and constructive dialogue rather than actions that may tarnish its image.
Over the years, Zoomlion has provided world-class waste management services to various MMDAs, significantly reducing sanitation-related health issues in Ghana. It remains dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of service delivery and compliance with contractual obligations. Zoomlion is also working to establish state-of-the-art waste recycling, wastewater treatment, and medical waste treatment facilities across all sixteen regions of Ghana, demonstrating its commitment to modernizing waste management in the country.
Zoomlion has also announced the launch of its “Change Your Borla Style” e-payment system, which aims to digitize payments for waste collection, making the process more convenient for Ghanaians.
Backdrop:
This comes against the backdrop of calls from YEA to suspend the management services contract with Zoomlion due to the long-standing payment issues, affecting hundreds of sanitation workers across the country.
YEA’s Executive Officer, Kofi Baah Agyapong, has demanded a review of the arrangement, which affects hundreds of sweepers who clean streets and public spaces across the country.