Published: October 14, 2025
MONROVIA — The management of Bea Mountain Mining Company (BMMC) has dismissed as “baseless and irrational” social media reports claiming the company hired expatriates to work as car washers, a job category reserved for Liberians under the nation’s Liberianization Policy.
In an interview with The Liberian Investigator on Monday, October 13, the Senior Management Team of BMMC said the allegations were misleading and distorted the reality of workplace practices at the company’s concession site.
“It makes no sense to suggest that management would bring in foreigners only to wash vehicles,” the management said. “The working habits of the Turkish make them drive and sometimes wash their assigned cars. People take these pictures and circulate stories that Bea Mountain hires expats to serve as car washers or drivers.”
Clarifying the Allegations
BMMC explained that the Turkish nationals seen washing vehicles in photos circulating online were simply maintaining their assigned company cars, not performing labor roles intended for Liberians.
“If a geologist or engineer is assigned a vehicle and it gets dirty during fieldwork, they may stop to wash it themselves,” the company said. “If the tire spoils, they’ll change it — that doesn’t mean the company hired them as mechanics or car washers.”
The management said such personal maintenance is a normal part of work culture and does not breach any Liberian employment laws.
“If someone drives to a car wash center and decides to wash their own car, or if a Liberian offers to help and receives a small tip, that’s not a violation of any policy,” BMMC emphasized.
Understanding the Liberianization Policy
The Liberianization Policy, first enacted in 1975 and revised in 1998, reserves 26 business activities exclusively for Liberian citizens, including car washing, gas station work, block making, and other small and medium-scale enterprises. The policy also requires foreign companies to employ and train Liberians in technical and administrative roles, use locally sourced materials where possible, and offer ownership opportunities to citizens.
However, enforcement of the policy has been inconsistent, leading to public frustration over foreign dominance in low-skilled sectors.
BMMC Reaffirms Compliance
BMMC reiterated that it remains compliant with all Liberian labor and localization laws, emphasizing its commitment to hiring and empowering qualified Liberians across its operations in Grand Cape Mount County.
“We are fully compliant with the country’s laws and remain committed to employing qualified Liberians in all available positions,” the management stated. “Our expatriate employees operate strictly within the bounds of their official roles.”
The company called on the public to avoid spreading misinformation that undermines its reputation and the morale of its workforce.
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