Yekepa, Nimba County–For over ten years, Aquila Kwennah devoted his service to ArcelorMittal Liberia Limited, one of the country’s largest industrial employers. “I am not fit to work. I am unwell. I am in pain. I cannot go back to work. I have been injured for life. ArcelorMittal is mistreating me. I am a victim of bad labor practices. I need justice,” Aquila Kwennah said.
However, his life changed forever in 2022 following a serious workplace accident that left him severely injured and embroiled in a protracted fight for fair treatment and justice.
The incident occurred when Aquila, while allegedly operating a company locomotive en route to Yekepa, collided with a stationary, unattended locomotive on the railway track.
The collision caused significant injuries, forcing ArcelorMittal to urgently fly him to Senegal for advanced medical treatment.
Although the medical intervention saved his life, Aquila’s recovery has been slow.
Doctors have advised him to avoid lifting weights over 25 kilograms to prevent further harm.
Despite this, Aquila has faced ongoing challenges beyond his physical injuries.
According to Aquila and his legal representatives at Gongloe Law Firm, ArcelorMittal has withheld his salary for nearly eleven months without issuing any formal dismissal or suspension notice.
This has deepened the hardship for Aquila and his family, who rely on his income for basic needs.
In response, Gongloe Law Firm filed a complaint with Liberia’s Labor Court at the EJS Ministerial Complex, accusing ArcelorMittal of unfair labor practices and negligence in ensuring adequate medical care.
Yet, the case has seen little progress over the past year, with reports of both the company’s and Gongloe’s legal teams missing scheduled court hearings, raising suspicions of potential misconduct.
At a recent hearing, Cllr. Tainwon Gongloe argued that the dispute centers on the company’s failure to provide ongoing medical treatment and its unjust withholding of Aquila’s wages during his medical leave.
Meanwhile, ArcelorMittal’s legal counsel defended the salary stoppage, citing Aquila’s refusal to return to work following a medical board assessment organized by NASSCORP.
The board, led by Aquila’s surgeon Dr. Lawuobah Gbozee, declared him fit for duty.
But one of Aquila brothers, William Cole argued that the same surgeon that worked on his brother’s bone that is causing problem for him was the same heading the medical board set by NASSCORP; thus raising potential conflict of interest.
Cole further indicated that Dr. Gbozee is conflicted as such; he should not be the one chairing the medical board.
Aquila’s family and advocates are now calling on government labor authorities and civil society organizations to intervene.
They warn that prolonged delays and neglect in his case could set a dangerous precedent, undermining workers’ rights and safety across Liberia’s industrial sector.
A letter dated December 11, 2023, from Dunbar & Dunbar Law Offices- external counsel for ArcelorMittal-responded to the complaint, denying the allegations and proposing a meeting after December 18, 2023, to explore a possible amicable resolution.
This paper made every attempt to contact the Dumbar and Dumbar Law Offices through its lead counsel Cllr. Stephen Dumbar to further speak to these allegations via WhatsApp messages and calls but every effort proves fruitless.
As Aquila Kwennah continues to fight for his dignity, rightful compensation, and medical care, his case highlights a critical need for transparent, fair labor practices and corporate accountability in Liberia’s workforce.
