Published: October 10, 2024
Monrovia – Sethi Brothers Incorporated’s recent donation of 50 desk computers to President Joseph Boakai’s government, intended to support Liberia’s Digital Transformation Program, has sparked controversy amid ongoing allegations of labor abuses at the company’s factories.
The donation, made during the Liberia Telecommunications Authority’s (LTA) Cyber Security Awareness Conference on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, is seen by some as a gesture to win favor with the Boakai administration in the face of mounting scrutiny over the company’s labor practices.
Sethi Brothers’ Managing Director, Jay Khanija, presented the computers, stating, “I am pleased to present 50 computers to His Excellency, President Joseph Boakai, for Liberia’s children as part of the Digital Transformation Program. This promise was made during the Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul.”
President Boakai expressed gratitude for the donation, thanking the company for its contribution to Liberia’s educational development. “Thank you, Sethi. As discussed in Seoul, we appreciate your support,” Boakai said.
Labor Abuse Allegations Cloud the Gesture
However, the donation has been overshadowed by ongoing allegations of serious labor violations at Sethi Brothers’ factories, including Sethi Ferro Fabrik and Duraplast. Workers have long complained about unsafe working conditions, exposure to hazardous chemicals, and a lack of proper safety gear—claims that have led to multiple injuries and even deaths.
One employee, who has worked at the company for more than a decade, shared grim details of the working environment. “We are suffering. Many of us have developed lung diseases from the pollution, and the company does nothing to protect us,” the worker said. “They don’t provide proper safety gear, and this negligence has cost some of our colleagues their lives.”
Pollution from Sethi Brothers’ cement and steel operations has also affected nearby communities, with environmental experts warning of long-term health risks. Local residents, including children and pregnant women, are reportedly suffering from health problems linked to toxic emissions from the factories.
In a particularly tragic incident in May 2024, factory worker Karlou Kamara lost two fingers while operating machinery at the Duraplast facility. After more than seven years with the company, Kamara claims he was abandoned following the accident. “I was at work when my fingers were crushed by the machine. Now, I can’t work, and the company has left me without help,” Kamara said. He has since appealed to the government for assistance but has received no support.
Motives Behind the Donation Questioned
The timing of the donation has raised questions, with some speculating that Sethi Brothers may be attempting to deflect attention from the negative press surrounding its labor practices. Critics argue that the company is using the donation to curry favor with the Boakai administration while avoiding accountability for its treatment of workers.
“We appreciate the computers, but the government should not ignore the plight of the workers enduring terrible conditions,” one concerned citizen remarked. “This company may be donating, but their employees are paying the real price.”
As the public debate over Sethi Brothers’ labor practices intensifies, many are calling on the Boakai administration to look beyond the surface gestures and address the more pressing issues of worker safety and corporate responsibility.
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