Friday, May 30, 2025
THE LIBERIAN INVESTIGATOR
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Investigations
  • News
    • National News
    • County News
    • Health
    • Environment
    • Human Interest
    • Press Release
    • Media
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Op-Ed
    • Opinions
    • Letters from the Editor
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Fact Checks
  • Lifestyle
    • Entertainment
  • Sports
THE LIBERIAN INVESTIGATOR
  • Home
  • Investigations
  • News
    • National News
    • County News
    • Health
    • Environment
    • Human Interest
    • Press Release
    • Media
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Op-Ed
    • Opinions
    • Letters from the Editor
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Fact Checks
  • Lifestyle
    • Entertainment
  • Sports
THE LIBERIAN INVESTIGATOR
No Result
View All Result
Home Business News

Salala Rubber Corporation Shuts Down Amid Violent Protests

by Lennart Dodoo
June 30, 2024
in Business News
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Salala Rubber Corporation Shuts Down Amid Violent Protests

KAKATA, Margibi County – Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) has announced the immediate closure of its operations following a violent protest by workers on Thursday, June 27, 2024. The protest, which involved the ransacking of the company’s administrative headquarters and the destruction of property, was sparked by the management’s alleged refusal to compensate workers for five days of missed work during a previous strike.

In an official memo from SRC’s management, the company cited the violent actions of the workers, which included the manhandling of senior staff, death threats, and the burning of senior staff residential units and vehicles, as reasons for the closure. The memo, dated June 29, 2024, emphasized that operations will remain suspended until further notice.

Background to the Protests

The protests began earlier in the day last Thursday when scores of workers, primarily tappers, staged a demonstration at the SRC plantation. The workers were aggrieved by the management’s alleged failure to mark them present for five days they were absent during a previous protest. This earlier protest had been a response to long-standing grievances over labor conditions, including poor housing, inadequate medical treatment, and unfair labor practices.

The protesters, in their rage, set fire to the administration building, which housed the offices of the general manager and other top staff. While the flames were contained to the NASSCORP office, the damage was significant. The protesters also pelted stones at other buildings, looted bags of rice, and set the Plantation Manager’s home and vehicle on fire.

Police Intervention and Arrests

The Liberia National Police (LNP) intervened to prevent further escalation. A heavy police presence was established, and several individuals were arrested in connection with the arson and looting. Among those arrested were Nowah Gibson, Joseph Tokpah, and Anthony Williams, all of whom were allegedly caught with stolen property from the company’s warehouse.

Workers’ Grievances and Negotiations

The violent protest was the culmination of a series of grievances that the workers had raised over several years. These included demands for better housing, proper medical treatment, the provision of essential tools, and fair compensation. Despite some initial negotiations where the management agreed to address six out of thirteen demands, the situation deteriorated when the management refused to compensate workers for the days lost during their earlier strike.

Union’s Response

Mary Boimah, the first female head of the Salala Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia (SAWUL), expressed her shock at the violent turn of events. She stated that the union had been in final negotiations with the management regarding the payment for the lost days when the situation escalated. Boimah condemned the violence and called for a swift investigation, emphasizing that those responsible should face legal consequences.

Future Steps

With the company’s operations suspended indefinitely, the future of the workers and the SRC remains uncertain. The management has assured that appropriate end-of-service compensation will be paid in accordance with applicable laws. The memo was also copied to the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Labor, and the General Agricultural and Allied Workers Union of Liberia (GAAWUL).

About Salala Rubber Corporation

Salala Rubber Corporation (Salala or the company) is today Liberia’s fourth largest rubber producing and processing company. It produces semi-processed rubber used in the manufacture of tyres. The company represents a merger in July 2007 of a stand alone rubber processing factory (Weala Rubber company) and a stand alone rubber plantation (formerly Salala Rubber Corporation).

Tags: Salala Rubber CorporationSAWULviolent protest at SRC
ShareTweetSend
Lennart Dodoo

Lennart Dodoo

Next Post
EPA Fines Several Companies Over $900K for Environmental Violations

EPA Fines Several Companies Over $900K for Environmental Violations

Liberia Women Empowerment Project Concludes Stakeholders Engagement in Gbarpolu County

Liberia Women Empowerment Project Concludes Stakeholders Engagement in Gbarpolu County

Discussion about this post

Recommended

Bi-Chico to rehabilitate roads, build school, health center in Royesville

Bi-Chico to rehabilitate roads, build school, health center in Royesville

1 month ago
Supreme Court Rejects 2024 Budget, Decries Unfair Allocation to Judiciary

Chief Justice Yuoh to critics: Courts exist to uphold law, not to please politicians

3 months ago

    Connect with us

    Home

    About Us

    Investigations

    News

    Politics

    Business 

    Editorial

    Contact Us

    Privacy Policy

    Advertise with us

    Stay updated with the latest news by subscribing to our WhatsApp Channel

    Click Here to Subscribe

    © 2024 THE LIBERIAN INVESTIGATOR, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement. 

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • Investigations
    • News
      • National News
      • County News
      • Health
      • Environment
      • Human Interest
      • Press Release
      • Media
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Editorial
    • Commentary
    • Op-Ed
      • Opinions
      • Letters from the Editor
      • Letters to the Editor
    • Fact Checks
    • Lifestyle
      • Entertainment
    • Sports

    © 2023