Firestone Liberia, one of the country’s largest employers, stopped normal operations after thousands of workers protested a massive protest over dire working conditions and unfair wages.
The ongoing strike on Thursday, January 30, 2025, shut down the company’s factory, garage, engineering departments, and administrative offices, crippling the company’s operations and drawing attention to longstanding labor disputes.
The protesting workers have raised many complaints, ranging from unsafe work environments to unpaid overtime, with many citing wages that barely cover basic living expenses. One worker who participated in the protest expressed frustration with management’s ongoing neglect of their concerns. “We’ve suffered for too long. Management hasn’t listened to us, and now it’s time for us to make our voices heard,” the worker said.
The unrest has sparked widespread concern, as the workers’ union, the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union (FAWU), is deliberating on further action. A larger-scale strike remains possible if the company’s management does not negotiate urgently with the labor groups.
Firestone Liberia has been operating in Liberia for nearly a century, employing over 8,000 workers and contributing significantly to the country’s economy. The company supplies around 10% of the world’s natural rubber, yet it has consistently faced backlash over worker dissatisfaction and poor treatment. The workers have expressed discontent over the company’s failure to address health risks from hazardous chemicals, low wages, and substandard living conditions.
In addition to these issues, workers have raised concerns about inadequate retirement plans, specifically, the company’s “Golden Handshake” program, which they argue does not provide adequate financial support after retirement. Marcus S. Blama, General Secretary of the National Timber, Wood Construction and Allied Workers Union of Liberia, criticized Firestone’s management for neglecting the needs of its workforce and for failing to honor their contractual agreements.
“Employees who have dedicated their time and energy to this company for over a decade are disregarded. They’re being denied their rightful benefits,” Blama asserted. Furthermore, he pointed out that sick workers often receive inadequate care from the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP), worsening their conditions and diminishing their quality of life.
The unions have also called for extending the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to include all employees, regardless of their employment status. Despite promises from both Firestone and the Ministry of Labor, no meaningful steps have been taken to address these demands, leaving workers increasingly disillusioned.
As the strike continued, tensions between the workers and Firestone management reached a boiling point. Blama has warned that the go-slow protest could escalate further, leading to a complete shutdown of the company if the issues are not resolved promptly.