-Black Managers prevented from entering strike action ground
By Garmah Never Lomo,garmahlomo@gmail.com
Over 800 redundant workers of Accelor Mittal from all the 15 counties have threatened to stage an endless nationwide strike action, if Accelor Mittal refuse to pay their just benefits, as a group of them stage another protest in Nimba County this weekend.
The redundant workers stormed the local community Radio Nimba in the provincial capital, Sanniquellie.
While at the same time preventing black Managers from entering their strike action ground because the black managers have been their nightmare to their illegal redundancy or dismissals.
In an interview with the spokesperson of the redundant workers of Accelor Mittal, Mr. Joseph G.K Karye told this Reporter the workers were illegally redundant and dismissed outside of the laws.
Mr. Karye disclosed that it can be recalled in 2015 after the Ebola crisis, the management of Accelor Mittal has an agreement with those who were redundant that due to the low iron ore price on market, they redundant 147 of their employees but on the contrary, the company went ahead and redundant over 300 employees, something which the then Labor Minister refused to attest to such document.
He claimed he did not anything to company who violated the laws as a Ministry who is responsible for companies lay up to their respective agreement and welfare of workers.
Speaking to Reporters at the compound of the local community Radio Nimba in Sanniquelle City, the redundant workers spokesman said Accelor Mittal has never been respector of our laws governing employment policies adding that the company always boasting that the government is in their pocket therefore nothing will not be done about their situation.
The company has so far not reacted to the latest move by the redundant Accelor Mittal Liberia workers.
Mr. Karye narrated that in the agreement made by the management of Accelor Mittal, their were told that when iron ore price improve on the world market, they could be called back to job but unfortunately now, iron ore price has increased on the world market and they cannot be called back to work.
But he said the company has gone ahead of hiring new employees who are currently occupying their respective positions but the management has refused to stick to its agreement.
The redundant Accelor Mittal workers spokesperson further stated that there was a strike action staged recently in which the Internal Affairs Minister Varney S. Sirleaf intervened into the matter to put halt to the strike as government negotiate with Accelor Mittal management to find amicable solution to their plight.
Accordingly during the intervention of Minister Sirleaf, there was plan meeting scheduled both the 22 and 29 of November 2019 but the 22 meeting in Sanniquelle City, Nimba county was attended by the county authorities.
But he claimed that the meeting was boycotted by the Accelor Mittal management without any reason, adding that what they allegedly said that government is pocket is true indeed when they can disrespect government, meaning that the rule of law is not alive.
Mr. Karye added that another meeting is scheduled for 29th of November 2019, if Accelor Mittal refuses to attend up to 12 noon, they have no alternative but to stage an endless strike action on the railway or train track until their demands are met.
He also said if there will be any negotiations between they and Accelor Mittal management, or payment of their just benefits, it will be done on the railway or train track where their strike action will be taking place.
The redundant Accelor Mittal spokesperson said, they will be cooking, dancing and they will block the railway or train track until of while managers who own the company can meet up with their demand. Narrating further,
Mr. Karye stated that all the concession agreement made by Accelor Mittal has been breech by Accelor Mittal without the government applying the laws on them and also violating the Decent Work Act section 14.8 and the Collective Bargain Agreement.