Zoomlion Ghana, a company that proudly boasts about its environmental stewardship, is now under intense scrutiny following revelations about the deplorable conditions faced by its frontline workers. For over a year, cleaners employed by the company have been working without essential protective equipment, enduring months without pay, and receiving wages that fall well below the national minimum.
These frontline workers, essential to maintaining public health, have been left to fend for themselves. No gloves, no masks, no dustbins—nothing. Instead, they’re forced to risk their health daily, tackling the nation’s rubbish without the necessary tools to keep them safe. And what do they get in return? A measly GHS 120 to GHS 400 a month, depending on where they’re stationed—wages that don’t even meet Ghana’s minimum wage of GHS 18.5 per day.
It gets worse. Our investigation reveals that Zoomlion isn’t just neglecting their safety—it’s also failing them financially. There’s no special healthcare for these workers, aside from the advice to sign up for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). And when it comes to long-term benefits like Social Security, it’s unclear just how much, if anything, is being contributed to the cleaners’ SSNIT accounts.
Zoomlion, often praised for its environmental efforts, now faces a damning backlash as the grim reality of its workers’ conditions comes to light. The company’s silence speaks volumes. Attempts to get a comment have been met with locked doors and deserted offices, further fueling the outrage.
How is it possible that a company can flout the law so openly, paying workers less than the legal minimum and neglecting their safety? Where is the accountability? These are the burning questions that Zoomlion must answer.
This scandal highlights a glaring gap between Zoomlion’s public image and the grim reality on the ground. While the company basks in awards and accolades, its cleaners are left in the dirt—literally and figuratively. It’s time for action. Regulatory bodies, the government, and the public must demand that Zoomlion clean up its act and start treating its workers with the respect and fairness they deserve.
For now, the plight of Zoomlion’s cleaners stands as a harsh indictment of the company’s practices. Will they continue to be ignored, or will this be the wake-up call that forces change? The ball is in Zoomlion’s court—but the public is watching.
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