Over 150 staffers and General Field workers of Golden Veroleum (GVL) Liberia in Liberia’s southeastern Grand Kru County are reportedly on a Go-slow action, which has so far been peaceful.
One report says the
go-slow has been on since Monday July 29, 2019 and it over a wide range of
alleged unfair labor practices.
The General workforce said the company (GVL) has failed
to construct housing, school for employees and their dependents, as well
as the company’s alleged failure to construct clinic to provide quality
health care services for workers and community members within their
varies estates across the County.
The workers also complained that the company has failed to
live up to its concession agreement signed with the Liberian government by
providing foreign scholarships for employees and the implementation of a adult
literacy and Vocational program for employees and community residents as breach
of MOUs between GVL and affecting communities in Grand Kru County.
On March 7, 2019, Grand Kru District #1 Representative
Nathaniel Bahway Sr. complained GVL to the House’s plenary, alleging unfair labor
practices by the Oil Palm Company against Workers and employees in the
county.
The investment partner
through its communications bureau refuted claims made by the Grand Kru
Lawmaker, Bahway.
In the distressed workers 25 page document presented to the
County administration and Labor Ministry through the offices of the county
labor representative cope of which is in the possession of this institution,
also protested about the company failure to improve the mode of transportation
and the usages tractors to transport workers to and from work, adding it is
life threatening and urged GVL to improve the approach to Trucks.
Speaking in an interview with the workers Spokesperson,
Quiah F. J Woeloe, said following a consultative meeting held with GVL
management on their strike action under the auspices of Grand Kru
superintendent, Doris Ylatun they have agreed to resume work on Monday August
5, 2019 due to the timely intervention of the county administration on Thursday
August 1, 2019 at Sliver Key guest house in Barclayville.
The workers spokesperson lamented that their actions is in no
way undermining the investment of the company, but are demanding for the right
thing to be done in line with the concession agreement and the Decent Work Act
of Liberia.
Mr. Woeloe recounted the economic contributions of GVL and
its positive impacts on the lives of over five thousand Liberians who were out
of jobs for decades since the fourteen civil conflict in Liberia especially in
the southeastern region.
The envoy among other things said even though they have
unanimously agreed to return to work, but their demands on concerning paying
their respective dependents school fees, improve salaries and medical
benefits should be immediately address by GVL Management.
This is the first go-slow action initiated by workers since
the inception of the company in Grand Kru County for the past seven years.
Making remarks on behalf of Golden Veroleum Liberia
Management, the company Legal Representative Attorney Martin J S Corlon,
promised that the management will address the grievances of workers on August
15, 2019. The investment company legal consultant described the go-slow
action by workers as illegal, on ground that those protesters failed to adhere
to the due process of law.
Atty. Corlon indicated that the strike actions instigated by
workers, has cause the investment company huge economic loses as a private
institution.
Meanwhile, Grand Kru County’s administration on behalf of the
government of Liberia has in a very strong tone condemned the reported go- slow
action by workers of GVL.
The County’s leadership during the dialogue meeting with the
workers noted that strike action is not the best way in finding
amicable solutions to problems affecting them. But the local authorities said
this should be done through a peaceful dialogue that will not create any form
of intimidations or harm for both parties.
The County Superintendent Doris Ylatun told GVL General
Workers and staff that the go-slow action by them has the propensity to scare
away investors wanting to direct their resources to the county and the country.
The County Chief administrator commended the aggrieved
workers for adhering to her plead to return to work, adding the act
demonstrated by them show high level of maturity ,love for county and respect
for stakeholders in the county.
She assured the general workforce at GVL that as authority
they will collaborate with GVL Management to address some of their demands.
The superintendent said why it is true, is the obligations of
the Liberian government to encourage and protect private investments in the
country, they should have regard for Liberian workers.
The Superintendent says the county administration and
legislative Caucus acknowledge GVL contributions in the county. She said
the local authorities of the county remains committed to working with GVL.
Meanwhile, Grand Kru Senator Peter Coleman and the Legislative
Caucus Chairman has expressed serious concern about the latest developments.
The Lawmakers, including Districtct #1 Representative Nathaniel Bahway speaking on Voice of Grand Kru las Friday, via phone from their Capitol Building office, described the action allegedly propagated by GVL Top Management, since their incorporation into the county against workers as unprecedented and they can’t continue to treat Grand Kru citizens in which a heartless manner.
The two Lawmakers promised that there will be a positive redress to the plats of aggrieved workers. They urged the general workers and employees of GVL to exercise patience as the County Legislative caucus is not taking the issue likely. Report by Garmah Never Lomo