Post a comment
Public Space Sweepers of Freetown City Council have launched a peaceful protest demanding their salaries from the management of Council.
Number of Sierra Leonean youths including graduates that are passionate about waste management in Freetown gathered yesterday at Cotton Tree in Freetown displaying placards with different captions demanding their 4 months salaries from the management of Freetown City Council.
According one of the protesters who introduced herself as Dora Kargbo. She said that she owns Women’s Empowerment and her company sweeps from Aberdeen Road to Murray Town Junction. Madam Dora Kargbo stated that, they employed workers comprises of youths and old people to sweep the streets but for the past 4 months, they haven’t received their salaries. She continued saying that, their workers have refused to sweep since they haven’t received their salaries from them. “If they fail to pay us, we will make Freetown dirty again because we will lay down our tools” she threatened.
According to another protester who identified himself as Saidu Kamara stated that, they sweep the city everyday but they haven’t received their salaries for the past 4 months. He called on the Chief Administrator of Freetown City Council, Festus Kallay to pay their salaries. He added that, there will be no work if they fail to pay them.
WATCH VIDEO:
According to sources, for the payment to be made, the Mayor of Freetown; Her Worship Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Chief Finance Officer; Mr. Bah and Chief Administrator; Festus Kallay have to sign the cheque with a minute. The sources added that, the Chief Administrator is the only one that has refused to sign the cheque. The reason is yet unclear why he refused to approval the payment of the sweepers.
Other sources informed this medium that, full documents were presented to the Chief Administrator to sign but he has refused to sign them. This has delayed the payment of the sweepers for the past 3 months.
The sources added that, the Association held a meeting with the Chief Administrator on 30th September 2021 where he agreed to sign their documents whenever they are presented to him. His refusal to sign the documents came as a surprise to many sweepers as he has promised to sign their documents.
However, sweepers have decided to lay down their tools until they are paid for November, December and January.
More details coming…
