Zoomlion Ghana Limited has stated that it cannot be held responsible for the GH¢258 monthly allowance given to its workers, acknowledging that the amount is insufficient.

The company explained that the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), a government body, determines and disburses the payments.

This comes as the company faces increasing public criticism and calls for the non-renewal of its contract, which is under scrutiny due to concerns over alleged exploitation of beneficiaries.

The contract, originally signed in 2006 under President John Agyekum Kufuor, is subject to renewal every four years and has reportedly expired.

National attention on the issue was sparked by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, who questioned the current agreement between YEA and Zoomlion.

Under this arrangement, Zoomlion receives GH¢850 per worker but only pays GH¢258 to the beneficiaries. Critics have described this as both meagre and exploitative.

In response, some stakeholders have suggested that the government should directly compensate the beneficiaries through District Assemblies and YEA to enhance transparency and ensure fair pay.

Speaking to journalists in Kumasi on Wednesday, April 30, Eugene Amo Asamoah, Business Development Manager at the Kumasi Compost and Recycling Plant, admitted that the allowance is insufficient. However, he emphasized that Zoomlion is not responsible for setting the amount. The company, he said, has even pushed for an increase, which was not approved.

“Zoomlion is not the one that determines the amount that is supposed to be paid to the beneficiaries. It is the government under YEA that determines the amount to be paid to these beneficiaries. There has been an engagement with the YEA to increase their money to 500, but it hasn’t been heeded.

“So now we are here, if we feel that these allowances are small, which they are, the government, which is the paymaster, who pays the beneficiaries, should help them by increasing their allowances or the model so that these beneficiaries can be catered for.”

He also noted that, although the government is contractually obligated to pay workers directly through YEA and District Assemblies, Zoomlion has been making upfront payments due to delays from the government, expecting subsequent reimbursements.