PHOTO: A cross-section of officials during the meeting at LAC
The Liberian government has ordered closure of the rubber processing factory at the Liberia Agricultural Company (LAC), until it is assessed by independent technicians for the purpose of safety of workers following the recent industrial accident.
Late last week, an employee of the LAC identified as Emmanuel Joe was killed as a result of an industrial accident at the rubber processing factory of the company.
Speaking to journalists after the day-long visit to the rubber plantation in Grand Bassa County recently, Labor Minister Charles Gibson said the high level delegation met and held discussions with the bereaved family, shared in their grief, and extended condolences to the family on behalf of the government.
According to him, the delegation also held discussions with the workers union, and the management of the Liberia Agricultural Company.
The Labour Minister explained that they inspected the factory where the incident took place and concluded with a fruitful meeting with the LAC management
During the meeting, Minister Gibson explained that the delegation stressed the need for the management to work along with the family to ensure the peaceful and decent burial to the victim.
Officials meeting with LAC workers and the bereaved family of the dead worker
The Labor Minister disclosed that the delegation was informed that there are ongoing negotiations between the family and the management regarding the benefits as a result of the death of the worker
As a result of the discussion, the minister went on , the Labor Ministry has deployed two technicians including Assistant Director for Trade Union Affairs and the Director of the Industrial Safety Department of the Ministry.
Minister Gibson added that Dominic Wreh will work along with the workers union, the family and the management to ensure that discussions aimed at giving a decent burial to the deceased are concluded, peace and tranquility prevail at LAC.
An assessment on safety requirements and policies at the rubber processing factory at LAC will also be conducted.
He assured the company and the rubber dealers that by Wednesday of next week, the ministry will determine whether or not the factory is safe enough for operations.
According to him, the intent is to open it partially for rubbers farmers who want to sell their rubber to have them sold and not to allow the huge quantity of processed rubber owned by the company to be taken to the port before it deteriorate and buyers refuse them.
He noted that what happened at LAC borders around culpability, but more so, it bordered clearly on culprit negligent and as such, on the principle of defendant superior, meaning that the management takes responsibility for what its workers do.
Also speakin, the Senate Committee’s Chairman on Labor, Willington Geevon Smith described the discussion as fruitful, because the safety of workers at the company was highlighted.
Senator Smith said that the senate is concerned about stability and harmony on the plantation and as such the committee will be reporting to plenary on situation at LAC.
On other issues concerning the operations and administration of the company as it relates to the aftermath of this situation, Senator Smith said that the Ministry of Labor and other line ministries responsible will conclude on that with the workers union and management.
“It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Labor to advise on whatsoever the company should do and not to do,” Senator Smith noted.
“But I am here purposely on behalf of the senate and I will be reporting to the plenary as head of the Senate Committee on Labor on what these ministries responsible agreed with the company, the workers union and bereaved family to do to restore harmony and stability at the plantation,” the Senate Labour Committee Chairman added.
For his part, acting Justice Minister, Nyenatee Tuan said that a team from the Crime Service Division of the Liberia National Police has been dispatched to the plantation and is conducting forensic investigations into the situation.
Giving the importance and concerns of the government, Cllr. Tuan said a team of ministers was constituted to come and do an assessment to be better situated to endorse, reject or advise on whatever that comes from the police.
Following the holding of meetings with the family, workers union and management, the government is fully equipped on how their thinking can be shifted and focused, the acting Justice Minister said.
Commenting on security at the plantation, Cllr. Tuan announced that they have met with and encouraged the workers union to do all in their power to ensure that there should not be an industrial unrest at the plantation.
The acting Justice Minister expressed the hope that all will remain civil and respect the law because that all conflicts end at the table.
For her part, Agriculture Minister, Jeanie Cooper extended sympathy on behalf of the agriculture sector and her ministry to the bereaved family and all workers of LAC for the lost.
She said LAC has been a key partner to the Liberia since 1959, especially in agricultural sector and she assured the family and the workers union that the management has assumed full responsibility of all of the consequences that had come up as the result of this industrial accident.
“What we are looking forward to as a ministry and government is how quickly we can resolve all of the situations that led to such an irreparable incident and start up production in the way that it does not endanger anybody again,” said Agriculture Minister Cooper.
Speaking on behalf of the workers, the president of the General Agriculture and Allied Workers Union of Liberia, James Greaves praised the Liberian government for its timely intervention and assured the government of the workers’ fullest cooperation in ensuring that their colleague gets a decent and peaceful burial.
He welcomed the Ministry of Labor efforts in ensuring that the safety of workers of the company are guarantee and safety policies are put in place to avoid a repeat of industrial accidents and injuries at the company.
Earlier, during the meeting with the family, they requested for a befitting burial of their relative.
Family members, however said that their relative will not be lay to rest until discussions surrounding their demands to management are concluded and a memorandum of understanding signed .
As part of their demands, the family asked that the deceased first son who is a disable and a first year college student be sent outside Liberia to continue his education.
Secondly, they want the other four children in grade schools be fully educated to first degree level and LAC should buy two lots of land and build three units with three bed-rooms each well-furnished for the family.
The victims’ said three family members plus his wife be provided employments with the company and all other cash benefits to be paid in full to the family;
The family also demanded food and drinks to be provided food and drinks for the mourners during the period of bereavement for the up keeping of the family members and visitors.
It can be recalled that late last week an employee of the LAC, Emmanuel Joe was killed as a result of an industrial accident at the rubber processing factory of the company.
On Saturday, August 28, 2021, a joint delegation of the Executive and the Senate Committee on Labor visited LAC purposely ascertain the actual circumstances that led to the industrial accident which resulted to the death of one of the company’s employees, the late Emmanuel Joe.
Members of the joint delegation included the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, S Willington Geevon Smith and Senator J. Milton Tenjay, and the Labor Minister, Charles Gibson.
Others were Agriculture Minister, Jeanie Cooper; Acting Justice Minister, Nyenatee Tuan; Deputy Police Director, Prince Mulbah among others.