MONROVIA — Mano Palm Oil Industries Limited’s concession area has become a center of unrest as employees protest against the management. The employees are striking due to disputes over salary increments and poor labor practices.
John P. Kolleh, the Chairperson of the aggrieved employees, explained that an agreement with Sime Darby Plantation stipulated that employees should not face redundancy or salary cuts. However, since Sime Darby’s withdrawal, the new management has imposed hardships on the citizens of Bomi and Grand Cape Mount Counties.
Kolleh alleged that the original turnover agreement between Sime Darby and Mano Palm Oil was altered by Mano when presented to the workers’ union and the Liberian government. He claims that the changes in the document contradict the agreed terms.
A ‘leaked document from Malaysia, now in the possession of the working union, reveals that section 26, schedule 3, paragraph 7, of the turnover document stated, “the company does not make any person who is an employee at the completion date redundant for at least twelve months from the completion date and will maintain the terms and conditions of employment existing at completion.”
Mano has faced repeated criticism for poor labor practices, salary deductions, and illegal redundancies. On June 1, 2022, employees of Mano’s sister company, Mano Manufacturing Company, staged a peaceful protest demanding the establishment of a workers’ union to address ongoing complaints and challenges.
Protesters carried placards with inscriptions like, “No union, no work; eight years, no employment; and bad labor practices.” These demands stem from long-standing issues of unpaid salaries and poor living conditions.
Kolleh stated that when they raise concerns about maltreatment and unpaid salaries, the management threatens them with dismissal. Despite writing to various government ministries, they have received little support, with officials sometimes claiming the company owes them nothing.
“These people are very wicked. We will never sit and allow foreigners to maltreat us in our country because we are the ones doing all the hard labor while they make thousands of United States Dollars,” Kolleh said.
He further outlined the dangerous labor practices reportedly carried out by the Mano management, which endanger the workers’ lives.
Government intervention through the Ministries of Labor, Internal Affairs, and Justice gathered evidence but ultimately concluded that the management did not owe the employees, dismissing the workers’ claims.
According to Kolleh, frustration peaked when Senator Simeon Taylor allegedly told them that the company did not owe them any money and that he would still win the 2029 elections regardless of their grievances.
When contacted, the management of Mano Oil Palm said they will respond at a later date.
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