The Ministry of Labour, led by Minister Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah, has initiated a series of mediation meetings to resolve long-standing labor disputes between the management of Firestone Natural Rubber Company and its workers in Margibi County.
Over the weekend, Minister Kruah and his high-level team met with senior Firestone management, represented by General Manager Seamus Gunton, as well as officials from the Liberia Labour Congress (LCC) and the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union (FAWUL).
The discussions, held at Firestone’s headquarters in Harbel, focused on several key issues, including alleged wage deductions tied to the controversial “k-factor” system, which reportedly reduces the quantity of tapped rubber upon weighing.
Workers also raised concerns about poor housing conditions, substandard educational facilities, and disputes regarding benefits for retrenched workers and those declared fit for work after medical treatment.
In a press release issued by the Ministry, it was disclosed that Minister Kruah called for tolerance and cooperation from both parties, emphasizing the importance of avoiding confrontation to ensure industrial stability.
He underscored the government’s commitment to social dialogue as the best approach to resolving labor disputes. Minister Kruah further proposed the establishment of an internal gratuity program for long-serving workers as a morale booster while they await pension benefits from the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP).
The Minister also referenced an official communication from Grand Gedeh County Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Labour, which highlighted the urgency of addressing the situation at Firestone to prevent further escalation.
Firestone’s General Manager Seamus Gunton, Legal Counsel Cllr. Edward Dillon, and Government Affairs Manager Richard Falla expressed gratitude for Minister Kruah’s swift intervention. They assured him that management had already initiated several improvement projects, including upgrades to housing, educational facilities, and wage adjustments, to address workers’ grievances.
Representatives of FAWUL and the LCC, including Rodenic Bongorlee, Foday Bangura, and Marcus Blamah, commended Minister Kruah for his leadership in initiating the resolution process. They pledged their full cooperation in working towards a permanent and amicable settlement of the issues.
A significant outcome of the ongoing mediation is the anticipated signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU, which will bind all parties, is being finalized by a joint technical committee comprising representatives from the workers and management under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour. The official signing ceremony is expected to take place soon.
The Labour Ministry’s proactive engagement is seen as a critical step in fostering industrial harmony at Firestone, ensuring that both workers and management can move forward in a mutually beneficial manner.
