The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Ghana Commercial Bank, and the management of BMK Particle Board have jointly flouted the Labour Commission’s directive to settle the outstanding wages and salaries of the ex-workers of BMK, who were made redundant in 2007. The three companies, who are as well shareholders in BMK, were directed by the Labour Commission to settle the wages and salaries of the ex-workers by the end of July this year, but had failed to do so. It would be recalled that the National Labour Commission (NLC) directed the management of BMK Particle Board and it shareholders to immediately honour the salaries and end of service packages of its 200 workforce rendered redundant following the liquidation of the company. The NLC consequently, fixed July 31, this year, as the deadline for BMK and its shareholders to pay the entitlement of the ex-workers. The ultimatum was, however, silent on what action the NLC would take, if the company and its shareholders failed to honour the ultimatum. Though reliable information reaching The Chronicle newspaper indicates that SSNIT, the majority shareholder in the collapsed company, had indicated to the Labour Commission that it wanted the other shareholders to hold a meeting and settle on the money each shareholder was supposed to pay, others have been adamant. SSNIT has a 48% stake in the liquidated company, whilst the Ghana Commercial Bank has a 5% stake, Mr. Ben Kufour, Managing Director (MD), 15%, with Madam Beatrice Kufour, wife of the MD, holding 1.17%. The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the NLC, Mr. Mohammed Affum confirmed that the shareholders of the company had flouted the directive. According to him, though it was true that the NLC had directed the shareholders to honour the wages and salaries of the ex-workers of the liquidated BMK, the former would not hesitate to go to court to enforce the judgment passed. The ultimatum, as issued by the NLC, comes barely two years after the management of BMK and it shareholders failed to honour the payment of the ex-workers’ salaries and entitlements. In a letter entitled ‘Payment Date of these Entitlements’, Mr. Dominic Owusu-Afriyie, the NLC Appointed Arbitrator, wrote, “BMK and it shareholders must pay these entitlements immediately, and latest by the 31st of July 2011.” According to the judgment, BMK and it shareholders must pay 13 months’ salary arrears to every senior staff with interest at the current bank rate with effect from March 13, 2009 to date. SSNIT must also pay nine months salary arrears to junior staff employees with interest at the current bank rate. On the severance award, the judgment of the NLC compelled SSNIT to pay severance award to staff that had spent a minimum of five to ten years service with the company.