Toll collectors at the Pwalugu toll booth have appealed to government to pay them their seven months salaries arrears owned them.
The toll collectors,about 9 of them said the last time the Highways Authority paid them was in June ,2021. Government has not paid them since then till they were asked to close the toll booths.
Speaking on the Word Community Watch Show on Word FM in the Bolga East District, one of the toll collectors George ( not real name) disclosed that they were employed on contract basis for six months subject to renewal with a salary of Gh700.00.
He said government however usually accumulated their salaries and pay them three months.
“We were employed on six month contract basis subject to renewal with a salary of Gh700.00. Since we started working, our employer is not able to pay us our monthly salary, rather they usually accumulate it and pay us every three months.”
Mr. George, one of the toll collectors said they are owed five months salary arrears. He said the inability of government to clear their arrears before closing the booth has left them in a state of shock and anger because they hoped to collect those monies to offset their rent and utility debts which have been in arrears.
“Government owe us five months salary arrears because they don’t pay us monthly, they usually accumulate it for three months and then pay us. We were not paid our arrears before the booths were closed. We are shocked and angry because we have huge rent and utility debt to settle which we can’t because we have not been paid.” He said.
George said he moved to stay at Pwalugu in a rented apartment so he can be closer to his place of work. He said he can’t even feed because he has no money to buy food
“As I speak to you this morning, I have nothing to feed on and I can’t even go out because I don’t know what my land lord will say.”
He therefore appealed to government to settled them their five months salary arrears to enable them settle their debt and feed at least for the time being.
By: Simon Agana Blessing/mywordfmonline.com