SSNIT prosecutes defaulting employers

SSNIT prosecutes defaulting employers Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga A Bolgatanga Magistrate court, presided over by Madam Vivian Yamusah, has issued a bench warrant for six companies for refusing to pay Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions on behalf of their employees. The companies include Bisvel Petroleum Services, Speedlink Restaurant, Navrongo, Yinimi Ventures, Yinwaat Enterprise, Bakayo J. Enterprise and Buhas Enterprise. All six companies owe SSNIT a total of GH c 3,389.93. The bench warrants were issued by the court after directors of the companies failed to appear before the court after been served with criminal summons. They are to reappear in court on September 16, 2013 Unity Oil Company which operates in Paga was also fined an amount of GH c 1,000 for failure to register with the trust and ordered to regularize its operation including the payment of contributions on behalf of their employee. Managers of Asankunde Memorial Clinic whose indebtedness to the Trust amounted to GH c 6, 444.86 made a representation in court was admitted to self recognizance bail to the tune of GH c 7,000.00 and the case adjourned to September 16, 2013. Mr. Foster Adjei, a prosecutor of the Trust said the defaulting companies despite been served letter to appear in court failed to turn up. He noted that SSNIT was pursuing a rigorous exercise to ensure that errant employers who fail to live up to their responsibilities are drag to court. Speaking to The Mirror, the Bolgatanga Branch Manager of SSNIT, Mr Prosper Yao Gavu expressed concern that employers were deducting workers’ contributions as stipulated by the law, yet they did not comply with the provisions of the law for payment of the contributions to SSNIT. He urged employers to desist from such negative practice and stressed that the days of leniency were over and that irrespective of the quantum of the amount owed by any employer, all legal means would now be employed to ensure security of income for the increasing number of workers and future pensioners. He also encouraged all defaulting employers to contact SSNIT for negotiations if they could not pay their debts in full. -End- writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh