Monrovia – As part of efforts to resolve long-standing labor disputes between workers and management at Firestone Natural Rubber Company in Margibi County, Labour Minister Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah, Sr. has initiated a series of resolution meetings at the company.
Over the weekend, Minister Kruah led a high-level delegation, including officials from the Liberia Labour Congress (LCC), to separate discussions with Firestone’s senior management team, led by General Manager Seamus Gunton, and officials from the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union (FAWUL), Marcus Blamah, and Rodenic Bongorlee, at the company’s headquarters in Harbel, Margibi County.
A press release from the Labour Ministry today disclosed that the first phase of Minister Kruah’s mediation addressed several critical issues, including the management’s alleged introduction of a “k-factor” system, which reduces the measured weight of tapped rubber and significantly cuts workers’ monthly wages. Other concerns raised by the workers included deplorable housing and educational facilities, premature invalidation of retrenched workers, and the classification of workers as “fit to resume work” after medical treatment, which has reportedly hindered their ability to receive required benefits from the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP).
Minister Kruah urged both management and the aggrieved workers to exercise tolerance, respect, and cooperation with the ministry to amicably resolve the issues. He emphasized the importance of avoiding confrontations that could disrupt industrial operations and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to using social dialogue as the best approach to labor stability.
The Labour Minister also proposed the introduction of an internal gratuity program for long-serving workers, which would serve as an incentive for increased productivity while they await NASSCORP pension benefits. He noted that the need for crisis resolution was further underscored by a communication from Grand Gedeh County Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Labour, highlighting the gravity of the situation at Firestone and the urgency of achieving a peaceful settlement.
Firestone General Manager Seamus Gunton, Legal Counsel Cllr. Edward Dillon, and Government Affairs Manager Richard Falla commended Minister Kruah for his swift and personal intervention in resolving the escalating crisis. According to the release, the management team assured the minister that initiatives were already underway to improve housing, educational facilities, monthly wages, and other programs for workers’ welfare.
Similarly, officials of the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union (FAWUL) and the Liberia Labour Congress (LCC), including Rodenic Bongorlee, Foday Bangura, and Marcus Blamah, praised Minister Kruah for his efforts and pledged their full cooperation to achieve a lasting resolution.
The press release revealed that a major Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is expected to be signed soon. This MOU will bind all parties under the supervision of the Labour Ministry, following the completion of detailed agreements by a joint technical committee comprising representatives of workers and management.
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