By Our Staff Reporter
Some workers of the Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) in Liberia’s Southeastern Sinoe County are currently on strike in three of their concession areas.
The areas where the industrial action are going on include Tarjouwon, Noumopoh and Kababa.
In an interview with the Workers Union President Saydee Tomplue via mobile phone on Tuesday, he admitted that there agreement between the workers Union and Management of GVL to pay their dependents’ school fees of US$50 each.
According to Mr. Tomplue, since 2010, the agreement was made, they have not received anything from GVL management toward the school fees of their dependents.
Mr. Tomplue disclosed that recently they engaged the management of GVL concerning their dependant school fees which they were told by management that they can only give 20 USD per dependant. Something that led to the strike action which the workers Union president said it was not the agreement reached between the workers and management.
Meanwhile, in an interview with the Communications Coordinator of GVL at from his Monrovia Office, Mr. Randell Kaybee said there was no agreement reached between GVL and the workers Union concerning the amount to be paid for their dependents.
But rather he said it was a proposal that was put forth before them in which they told the workers Union that they are going to discuss with their senior managers. And if it gives green light, they as management could get back to them but unfortunately it was discussed and the management said it could provide US$80 per household, given the economic hardship the country is currently facing.
GVL employees are entitled to four dependents age eighteen and below.
The Communication coordinator of GVL disclosed that the company constructed an elementary school for those employees dependents in elementary class and send those in the Junior and Senior high to public schools by providing assistance to those public school on behalf of those employees dependents who attending the public.
Mr. Kaybee said they also provide materials to those public schools where their employees’ dependents are attending public schools like chairs, black board and allowances for volunteer teachers.
The GVL Communication Coordinator added that the company has no intention of laying off employees like several companies have done and even leaving to closure of some companies due to the economic downturn.
He said the ongoing go slow by GVL workers is illegal but they will continue to engage the workers Union to have a dialogue or round table discussion with them to find an amicable solution.