A Verity News investigation has uncovered deepening discontent among employees of AFCONS, a contractor of Arcelor Mittal. The workers are accusing the company of unpaid benefits, unlawful dismissal, and illegal wage deduction.
The allegations, supported by internal documents, worker testimonies, and a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), have triggered protests, mass terminations, and growing concern over labor practices within one of Liberia’s major infrastructure contractors.
The aggrieved workers described the situation as a pattern of “systematic intimidation,” citing disputes over wages, social security contributions, and access to safe drinking water.
Holiday Pay and Wage Disputes
The aggrieved employees alleged that AFCONS unlawfully denied holiday pay to workers who failed to report to duty immediately before or after public holidays.
According to workers testimonies, timekeepers were instructed not to record such workers as eligible for holiday benefits, despite legal provisions guaranteeing paid holidays.
A Ministry of Labor inquiry reportedly found the company at fault after a timekeeper confirmed the practice during a hearing facilitated by Assistant Labor Minister Emmanuel Zor.
The aggrieved workers have also raised concerns about wage deductions, claiming that withholding tax is being applied at 15 percent-above Liberia’s standard 10 percent rate.
The aggrieved employees further noted that they are they are unable to verify their individual contributions to the social security scheme, noting that there are reported discrepancies, including foreign names appearing under their identification numbers.
Local officials in Nimba County confirmed that the company makes bulk deposits rather than individualized contributions, raising concerns about transparency and workers’ future entitlements.
Water Dispute Fuels Tensions
Access to drinking water remains one of the most contentious issues.
In December 2024, workers staged protests demanding purified water, prompting intervention from the Labor Ministry.
Video footage reviewed by Verity News showed Minister Zor assuring workers that AFCONS would provide a timeline within a week, warning the company could be held responsible for further unrest if it failed to act.
No timeline was provided.
Laboratory reports commissioned by the company-including tests conducted by Rayan Laboratory Services and Environmental Laboratory Services-indicated that water supplied at the Yekepa and Tokadeh camps meets both World Health Organization (WHO) and Liberian standards.
However, workers remain skeptical.
“Even if it is safe on paper, we refuse to drink it. We want the same bottled water given to Buchanan workers,” one aggrieved worker who spoke on condition of anonymity noted.
MoU Disparities Raise Equity Concerns
A June 16, 2025 MoU between AFCONS and workers in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, reveals significant concessions following a five-day strike.
These include:
Daily provision of purified bottled water
A one-time payment of US$125 to more than 800 workers
Payment for strike days
Commitments to training and improved labor conditions
However, the agreement explicitly excludes workers in Yekepa and Tokadeh-fueling what Nimba-based employees describe as “institutional inequality.”
“When we presented the MoU, everyone was shocked,” a worker representative said.
Protest Escalates Into Confrontation
On February 17, 2026, workers gathered peacefully outside the AFCONS camp in Yekepa to demand equal benefits. Eyewitness accounts and leaked video footage indicate the situation escalated when security forces deployed tear gas and allegedly fired live rounds to disperse the crowd.
The action was reportedly taken to clear access for expatriate staff traveling to Monrovia for international flights.
Several workers were arrested and later released after their families paid fines ranging from US$159 to US$250.
Mass Dismissals and Legal Pressure
In the aftermath of the protests:
77 workers were dismissed initially, followed by an additional 166
30 more employees were recently terminated after refusing to use company-provided water
Some workers claim they were denied payment for the remainder of their contracts
Workers also allege that local labor authorities endorsed termination letters, raising concerns about neutrality.
The situation has further escalated with reports that AFCONS filed court complaints accusing workers of property damage-claims strongly denied by those involved.
Controversial Release Forms
Documents reviewed by Verity show that departing workers were required to sign release forms stating they have no further claims against the company after receiving payment.
According to an insider, such documents may undermine workers’ rights, particularly if signed under pressure.
“This is not standard practice. They want to silence us,” another worker asserted.
Growing Frustration and Lack of Representation
Despite early engagement by lawmakers and local leaders, workers say promised follow-up visits to Nimba County have not materialized. Many now feel abandoned.
“There is no one left to speak for us,” a worker stated.
The unfolding situation highlights persistent challenges in Liberia’s labor sector, particularly in enforcing the Decent Work Act and ensuring corporate accountability in large-scale infrastructure projects.
With tensions still high, the risk of further unrest remains.
For many workers, the demands are straightforward: “We want equal treatment, safe conditions, and what is legally ours.”
