Expresso workers protest over unpaid salaries

Workers of telecommunication company Expresso will today [Wednesday] embark on a protest against management over their refusal to pay workers salaries.

In a document copied to Citi Business News the workers stated that they had not received their salaries for over 18 months.

According to them, management has also deprived them off their rightful benefits such as SSNIT, provident Fund and Medicare.

The workers say although they have complained severally, nothing has been done about the situation.

According to them frustrations have compelled them to hold a non-violent, non-destruction and non-noise protest to draw management’s attention to refund their salaries within the shortest possible time.

Expresso challenges

Expresso has been facing financial and operational challenges for years.

The telecom operator has been struggling to secure an investor for some time now, the development has led to a reduction in Expresso’s market share to about 0.36% as at the first quarter of this year.

Earlier some players within the telecom industry warned that the company risks folding up if it fails to find an investor soon.

NCA to revoke Expresso’s license

The National Communications Authority (NCA) earlier told Citi Business News it had begun the processes to revoke the license of Expresso.

According to the NCA’s Director for Engineering Henry Kanor the prolonged inactivity of Expresso is affecting industry stakeholders and creating a shortfall in the revenue targets of the regulator and government.

In an interview with Citi Business News, Henry Kanor said there will be a policy statement on Expresso shortly if it fails to get an investor to invest in the company soon.

“We have a regulatory regime that is enshrined in their license and so we gave triggered that and a discussion has to be taken in that regard. I should think that is why they are now seriously looking for investors to come invest in the company.” Henry Kanor stated that “The status quo cannot remain the same for long, we want to make sure that customers get the best services, we want to get revenues for government and as regulator we need revenue to survive.”

By:  Jessica Ayorkor Aryee/citibusinessnews/Ghana