Parliament Won’t Interfere in Zoomlion-YEA Wage Saga: Ayariga Clears Air

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Caucus has made it clear that it will not interfere in the ongoing contract dispute between the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and waste management firm, Zoomlion Ghana Limited.

In a statement issued Friday afternoon, April 25, Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Mahama Ayariga, said Parliament has not authorized the Sanitation Committee to involve itself in the matter.

“The NDC Parliamentary Caucus in Parliament has not authorised the Sanitation Committee of Parliament to interfere with the work of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA),” Ayariga stated.

This clarification comes just hours after YEA’s Acting CEO, Malik Basintale, vowed not to renew Zoomlion’s contract if the company continues to pay sanitation workers only GH¢250—a move that has stirred national debate.

Addressing reports suggesting Parliament’s Sanitation Committee had stepped into the issue, Ayariga firmly denied the claims.

“The Chairman of the Committee has reported to me that, contrary to media reports, neither he nor any committee member has attempted to do any such thing,” he said.

Ayariga also warned the public and media not to interpret personal comments by individual committee members as the official stance of Parliament or the Committee.

“Any comments made by any member of the Sanitation Committee which appear to defend Zoomlion’s sanitation contract with YEA should be ignored by YEA or the public,” he added.

He further advised local government authorities not to feel pressured to sign contracts with any particular company.

“No Metropolitan, Municipal or District Assembly should allow itself to be intimidated by any authority to enter into any sanitation contract,” he stressed.

Ayariga also reminded Ghanaians that President Mahama’s directive ensures 80% of the District Assemblies Common Fund now goes directly to the assemblies—giving them the freedom to choose their own development projects, including sanitation solutions.