The 27 workers dismissed by MODEC Ghana Limited, the company that operates and maintains the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah, have been restored on the company’s payroll.

The workers were dismissed last week for participating in a sit down strike on the offshore vessel FPSO Kwame Nkrumah last month. The workers were demanding better conditions of service in the face of huge pay disparity between them and their expatriate colleagues offering the same services.

In solidarity with the dismissed workers, the Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union yesterday declared a one-day strike today, Tuesday, November 18, 2014.

The union at a press conference Monday to announce the one-day strike, demanded unconditional and immediate reinstatement of the 27 workers by MODEC. It threatened to destabilise the petroleum sector if the demand was not met. 

Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Haruna Iddrisu convened an emergency meeting Tuesday with the union to try and convince the leaders to call off the strike.

In spite of the sector Minister’s appeal to the workers to call off the strike, Joy News’ Fred Smith reports that the exercise is in full force.

Another meeting has been fixed for tomorrow involving the ministry, workers and the union to try and resolve the matter amicably.

Even though workers have their names restored on MODEC's payroll, they have not been asked to resume work yet as the National Labour Commission handles the impasse, Fred reported.