By Verity News
Several local drivers of Kokoyah District, operating under the banner Disenchanted Drivers of MNG Gold, are planning to stage a protest against the company for allegedly hiring Turkish nationals as drivers, a move they say contradicts the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Disenchanted Liberian drivers and Residents of Kokoyah District in Bong County have since alarmed over the ‘unfair’ hiring practices of MNG Gold, alleging that the company is prioritizing foreign nationals over qualified Liberians for certain jobs that Liberians can do including driving.
“I am a driver here at MNG Gold. We are not being treated fairly. Foreigners are prioritized over us every day. Even jobs that Liberians should be doing are done by foreigners. This has been happening for a long time now. This contradicts the MOU and the MDA that MNG gold mine signed,” a disenchanted driver told Verity News.
Residents of Kokoyah District in Bong County have raised concerns over the hiring practices of MNG Gold Liberia, alleging that the company is prioritizing foreign nationals over qualified Liberians for certain job roles.
The concerns follow a two-week investigation prompted by reports that a Turkish national was seen operating a maintenance truck at the company’s site.
According to findings gathered, the company under the leadership of its Chief Executive Director, Cem Aktay has allegedly been assigning smaller job roles, including driving, maintenance, and cleaning, to Turkish nationals instead of Liberians.
Residents argue that this practice contradicts the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the company and affected communities in District One, which they say prioritizes employment opportunities for locals.
The situation has sparked frustration among community members, many of whom reportedly gather daily at the company’s premises seeking employment.
Several residents who spoke on condition of anonymity claimed that these jobs were specifically reserved for citizens of the affected communities, as outlined in the MOU.
They are now calling on county authorities and relevant stakeholders to intervene and ensure that the company adheres to the terms of the agreement.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the company were unsuccessful, as its Public Relations Officer, Matthew Gbanken, declined to comment on the allegations.
