Over 50 employees of the G-Forest Demining Company in Eastern Equatoria last week went on strike protesting high tax deductions and unequal pay and said their industrial action will not end till their demands are met.
G-Forest Demining Company works along the Torit-Magwi road.
Several of the striking workers sounded out by Radio Tamazuj said they are paid only USD 200 yet their contracts indicate USD 400 and that their employer has not clarified how the tax is calculated and deductions made.
They also complained of low pay despite the high-risk job. William Nyuon, one of the striking workers, said the strike is due to high taxes and unequal pay between locals and the international staff yet they are serving in the same positions and doing the same jobs.
“We have a lot of challenges, first we have the issue of tax, these people are paying us little money but they take this money in the name of tax but we do not know whether this money really goes to the government or it is another policy because nobody tells us the truth,” Nyuon lamented.
He added: “Secondly, we have the issue of unequal pay, we have been paid differently but we do the same job. Some people receive more money and we do not understand why while we do the same work and according to our Labor Act, people who do the same work will receive equal pay.”
The striking employees called on the state tax body to educate the public about taxation and what percentage of salary is deducted as tax
For his part, John Andrew, a G4 Security officer working for G- Forest Demining Company in Torit said they will resume work when their demands are met. He complained that some staff members are given leave allowances while others are not.
“This strike is a continuous one. Until all the complaints we wrote to this organization are met, we will continue striking. One of the complaints is traveling allowance like when I go for leave to see the family,” Andrew said. “The UK knows that every organization working for this organization has money for leave but the top management pay themselves while denying us (sic).”
Meanwhile, Mike Charles, the liaison officer of G-Forest Demining Company in Juba confirmed the industrial action when contacted.
“Yeah, but I am not allowed to talk to the media because that is not my work. If they (workers) have gone and talked to the media that is their issue but I am forbidden,” Charles said. “If anything goes out, it should be from the higher authorities.”