By Preston Slami Panyonnoh
Tarjuwon, Sinoe County- Tensions between Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) and its workforce have eased following the signing of a resolution and the reaffirmation of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The agreement commits the company to pay each employee $120 USD within one month as part of its education support package.
The resolution was reached after hours of negotiations involving GVL management, the Workers’ Union, community leaders, and representatives from key government ministries and agencies.
The standoff began over the weekend when workers staged a go-slow protest, accusing GVL of failing to honor a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that promised financial assistance for their children’s school fees.
The protest halted operations, blocked access roads, and drew national attention.
The situation de-escalated Tuesday evening after all parties reached a consensus clarifying that the workers’ demands were covered under the existing CBA—not the community MOU.
In an interview with Verity News Online, GVL Communications Director Mr. Alphonso Kofi explained that the education support concerns are labor-related and governed by the CBA, which was signed in June 2024 and remains valid through June 2026.
“These are labor-related issues addressed in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between GVL and the Workers’ Union,” said Mr. Kofi. “The CBA includes education support through the Golden Education Scheme (GES).”
He noted that if the GES cannot be implemented in a given year, the company is obligated to provide $80 for tuition and $40 for transportation, totaling $120 per worker.
Mr. Kofi also revealed that during negotiations, some community members proposed increasing the amount to $200 per dependent. However, the company declined, citing the legally binding terms of the CBA.
“We explained that the CBA is enforceable under labor law,” he said. “Officials from the Ministries of Labor, Internal Affairs, and Education, along with the National Bureau of Concessions, were present and clarified that labor issues must be addressed separately from community agreements.”
Following successful mediation, GVL agreed to pay each eligible employee $120 within one month. The payment is intended to support school-related expenses for workers’ dependents, in line with the CBA’s education support clause.
Workers’ Union Chairlady Madam Sarah Doe described the resolution as peaceful and fair.
“Our protest wasn’t about creating disorder—it was about reminding management of its obligations,” she said. “We’re satisfied with the outcome and encourage our members to return to work and focus on production.”
Community leaders also welcomed the agreement, commending the government’s swift intervention.
“We’re grateful that dialogue prevailed,” said Chief Peter Nyahn, a respected elder in Tarjuwon. “This could have escalated, but timely intervention and compromise helped restore calm.”
Local authorities in Sinoe County have confirmed that operations at the GVL plantation have resumed, with workers returning to their posts and road access fully restored.
The reaffirmed CBA is expected to improve cooperation between GVL, its employees, and surrounding communities, and may serve as a model for resolving similar disputes in other concession areas across Liberia.
GVL, one of Liberia’s largest oil palm producers, has previously faced labor and community challenges, but says it remains committed to corporate social responsibility and peaceful engagement with local residents.
“This resolution shows that through mutual respect and dialogue, we can find solutions,” Mr. Kofi concluded. “GVL remains committed to honoring its obligations and ensuring a stable working environment.”
As of Wednesday morning, normalcy had returned to Tarjuwon.
Workers were back in the fields, children were on their way to school, and traffic was flowing freely—marking a peaceful end to one of the region’s most tense recent standoffs.
