Monrovia — Workers of Bao Chico Resources Liberia Limited have raised serious human rights and labor welfare concerns, accusing the mining company of poor labor practices, unsafe working conditions, and disregard for workers’ dignity, as pressure mounts on authorities to intervene.
The aggrieved employees, many of them Liberians working at mining and construction sites linked to the company’s iron ore operations, allege that Bao Chico has failed to meet basic labor standards guaranteed under Liberian law and international labor conventions.
Speaking anonymously for fear of retaliation, workers told this newspaper that access to safe drinking water at job sites remains a persistent challenge, while contracts are often unclear, poorly explained, or presented for signing without adequate consultation.
“Sometimes they just bring papers and tell us to sign,” Peter Brown said. “No explanation, no copy for us. If you ask questions, you are seen as trouble.”
Unsafe Conditions, Limited Voice
Workers further complained about unsafe working environments, inadequate facilities, and what they described as excessive workloads without corresponding compensation. According to them, concerns raised with supervisors often go unanswered, leaving employees feeling powerless and excluded from decisions that directly affect their safety and livelihoods.
Several workers also cited limited opportunities for advancement and training, particularly for Liberian employees, raising broader questions about fairness, equality, and local content compliance within the company’s operations.
“Our issue is not just employment,” another worker stressed. “It is about respect, safety, and our rights as human beings. We want to work, but we also want to be treated fairly.”
Presidential Engagement Amid Growing Tension
The workers’ complaints come against the backdrop of a recent closed-door meeting involving President Joseph N. Boakai Sr., senior government officials, and Bao Chico Resources’ management. The meeting reportedly followed rising public concern over the company’s operations and labor practices.
President Boakai on Tuesday December 31, 2025 also visited Bao Chico’s iron ore export corridor and mining facilities under construction in western Liberia, particularly in Bomi County. According to the Executive Mansion, the visit was part of the President’s broader effort to ensure accountability, transparency, and national benefit from Liberia’s natural resources.
However, on the sidelines of the visit, workers seized the moment to highlight what they described as long-standing labor welfare issues that they say have received insufficient attention.
History of Regulatory Concerns
In May 2025, the Government of Liberia revoked Bao Chico’s operating permit following internal ministerial deliberations over public safety and regulatory compliance concerns. The suspension, announced by Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, was later followed by engagements that reportedly led to the restoration of the company’s permit.
Labor advocates say the episode underscores the need for continuous oversight, not only of environmental and regulatory compliance, but also of workers’ rights and conditions.
Calls for Ministry of Labor Intervention
Labor observers argue that the Bao Chico situation reflects deeper structural problems within Liberia’s extractive sector, where enforcement of labor laws often lags behind investment interests.
They note that Liberia’s Decent Work Act guarantees workers the right to safe working conditions, clear employment terms, and protection from exploitation rights that must be upheld regardless of a company’s economic importance.
As tensions remain high, Bao Chico workers are now calling on the Ministry of Labor, human rights institutions, and the Legislature to conduct an independent investigation into the company’s labor practices and ensure accountability.
Efforts to obtain an official response from Bao Chico Resources Liberia Limited were unsuccessful up to press time.
For the workers, the message is clear: development must not come at the expense of human dignity.
“We support development,” a worker said quietly, “but development must also protect the people who do the work.”
