Eco Bank has begun the payment of 50 per cent severance award to workers of the Ghana Consolidated Diamonds (GCD) who were laid off after the collapse of the company. The payments followed the release of GHC3 million by the government to the bank for disbursement to the workers. The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Baba Jamal, told the Daily Graphic in Koforidua yesterday that the government had to intervene to save the workers from further hardships. "The release of the money is also in fulfillment of a promise the President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, made to the workers of GCD in his 2008 presidential campaign to pay their severance packages if voted into power," Mr Jamal stated. "When GCD is successfully divested, the remaining 50 per cent of the workers' severance award will be paid by March, 2011," he added. GCD collapsed in 2006 and the 780 workers of the company were laid off. The deputy minister said the closure of the company had affected the survival of the workers and their families over the years, adding that "41 of the workers have so far passed away due to economic hardship they faced". To facilitate the payment process and other documentation, Mr Jamal said all the workers were allowed to take photographs free of charge. "It is a great relief for workers of GCD who have endured economic hardship for a long time to receive 50 percent of their severance packages prior to the celebration of the Christmas," the deputy minister stated. Source: Daily Graphic