Monrovia, Liberia – Three Liberian female nationals, Marthaline B. Damilah, Jackqueline Wleh, and Janet Y. Davis, are crying out for justice from prison after they alleged that their contracts were illegally terminated and they were sent to prison by China Mall due to false claims of “theft”.
A troubling labor rights controversy is unfolding at China Mall Liberia, located at the SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville, as three young Liberian women cry out for justice after what they describe as an unlawful and humiliating ordeal.
The women, former employees of China Mall-operated by Much Better Trading Inc.-were allegedly detained earlier this week by the Liberia National Police over allegations of theft, which the accused vehemently denied.
The arrest, based on a month-old incident allegedly captured on CCTV, has triggered outrage and widespread concern about rights violations, workplace abuse, and the integrity of the country’s labor and justice systems.
According to the women, the footage cited by management simply shows them tucking small food items into their clothing during working hours-items they claim were never removed from the store.
Their actions, they argue, were a result of punishing 10-hour shifts with only one break, often leaving them fatigued and hungry.
“We were being searched twice a day-thoroughly. Nothing ever left that building. Our lawyer is being intentionally denied access and bail,” said one of the accused through a relative. “We were hungry, not thieves.”
Despite this, the women were terminated without pay and detained by police. Attempts by a Liberian legal representative to secure their release pending court proceedings were allegedly denied by officers at the Zone 8 Depot, raising serious concerns over due process.
In a dramatic twist, bystanders report that China Mall management and police officers allegedly tried to coerce the women into signing forced confessions under threat of prolonged imprisonment.
One eyewitness claimed that a concerned citizen intervened during the altercation and seized the confession papers in a desperate effort to stop the abuse.
“This is not justice, its intimidation,” said a local human rights activist. “Our country must not be a place where workers are stripped of their dignity without fair hearing.”
An internal termination letter from China Mall, dated May 21, 2025, accuses the women of “gross misconduct” and “theft,” stating they are entitled to no salary, benefits, or recourse.
The document includes an “Acknowledgement of Receipt” in which the women allegedly admit guilt-though family members and advocates claim the signatures were coerced.
Calls for Intervention
Several organizations and citizens are demanding swift intervention, including: Ministry of Labour, Republic of Liberia, Ministry of Justice, Liberia National Police, Independent National Commission on Human Rights, Civil society groups and international human rights bodies and renowned social justice activists like Martin K. N. Kollie and Will Debo have also been urged to speak out on their behalf.
“This is not just a labor issue,” one advocate said. “It is a human issue-about the rights, dignity, and protections owed to every Liberian, especially the most vulnerable.”
China Mall’s Labor Practices under Fire
China Mall Liberia has faced previous allegations of labor violations, including illegal suspensions and exploitative working conditions. This case has reignited calls for a thorough investigation into how foreign-owned companies operate within Liberia’s borders, and whether authorities are doing enough to protect Liberian workers.
“These young women are not criminals. They are daughters of Liberia,” said a protester outside the SKD Complex. “We will not stay silent. Justice must be done.”
This paper reached out to the management of China Mall Liberia through its consultant Lahai about the allegations, he informed this paper that the Ministry of Labor dispatched its team of investigators to tour their facility.
He further informed our investigation that the Labor Ministry’s investigative findings revealed that the three women were allegedly involved with theft as such; they were instructed to terminate their contracts and take further legal action.
Lahai, however, said the institution has prepared the termination letters of the three female employees to be served on them.
He said they are consulting their legal term for possible lawsuit as such; he cannot speak to the allegations.
As of Thursday morning, the three women remain in police custody. Legal teams and rights organizations are reportedly preparing formal complaints and legal actions. Justice delayed is justice denied-and these women deserve better.
