EXPATRIATE SUES TWO FIRMS

A former expatriate employee of two civil engineering, marine and mining companies has sued them at the High Court claiming 59,264 Euro as unpaid salaries and allowances and damages of ¢500 million.
Guerrino Raimondi, an Italian, was from March 2005, the Plant/Workshop Manager of Piscedda and Development company and Sarroch Gelfijv company, until he was relieved of his post in April 15, this year.
He has joined Mr Amselmo Piscedda, whom he described as the ‘alter ago’ (the embodiment of both companies) for failing to settle him after he was laid off.
The case was filed in the Kumasi High Court by Koi Larbi and Co, Accra Legal practitioners while Amua-Sakyi and Co of Ekudaa Chambers; Takoradi, has entered appearance on behalf of the defendants.
A statement of claim accompanying the suit said the plaintiff was an expatriate professional mechanic and employee of the two companies, which were Takoradi and Kumasi-based respectively and were Civil Engineering, Marine and Mining contractors .
It said Mr Piscedda had by diverse acts held himself out as being liable for the debt.
According to the statement, about March 2005, the plaintiff was contracted in Italy by Piscedda and Development Company as Plant /Workshop Manager and was flown to Ghana to start work with the company in Takoradi.
The plaintiff, it said, was responsible for the repair, maintenance and operation of machines, tractors, plant and equipment used by the company.
It said the plaintiff was also responsible for the purchase of parts both locally and from Italy for and on behalf of his employers and up to November 2005, the company gave out money for that purpose.
However, it said, from December 2005, the plaintiff was authorised to purchase parts at various times from his own resources for the company and was reimbursed from time to time at the pleasure of Mr Pisceddi.
The statement said that the plaintiff was appointed Sales Manager in September 2006 and verbally tasked to sell unused parts, scrap.machines and collect the proceeds from the clients.
It said the plaintiff was not paid his full salaries and other allowances in spite of repeated demands on Mr Pisceddi when in June 2006 he was transferred to work in the same capacity in the second company, Sarroch Gelfijv.
The statement said that pursuant to the working relationship between the plaintiff and the company, including the purchase and sale of parts, the plaintiff submitted to Mr Pisceddi a Statement of Accounts on Aprill 27, 2007, for settlement.
However, it said, Mr Pisceddi in an unprecedented manner failed, refused and ignored to even discuss the matter with the plaintiff and instead demanded for the originals of the receipts covering the purchases made by the plaintiff.
It said Mr Pisceddi then ordered the plaintiff to cease working for the second company effective April 15, 2007 and also go for an air ticket to leave for Italy.
Mr Pisceddi also asked the plaintiff to vacate his official residence and return the official vehicle in his care.
The statement said despite pleas from the plaintiff to Mr Pisceddi to pay him his outstanding salaries he refused and instead traveled to Guinea, leaving him frustrated.
The plaintiff said that he had suffered seriously as a result, therefrom, financially, personally as well as