By Gareyson Y. Neufville
PLEEBO, Maryland County – Dozens of employees of the Samuel Shiaki Fawaz (SSF) road construction company have protested in Maryland County, claiming that they have gone 10 months without receiving their salaries.
The workers, assigned to road maintenance and rehabilitation projects in Maryland and Grand Kru counties, blocked the main road in Gbolobo Clan, Pleebo-Sodoken District, on June 10 to demand payment of their wages.
They said the prolonged delay has left many unable to provide for their families, pay school fees, or meet other basic needs.
“We have families depending on us. Some of us cannot provide food for our children, and our lives have become very difficult because we have worked for many months without pay,” the workers said during the protest.
Motor grader operator Stephen Mensah said employees have repeatedly raised the issue with management but have yet to receive a response.
“We have exhausted every peaceful effort to get our concerns addressed,” Mensah said. “Many workers are suffering, and the situation continues to worsen.”
The workers also alleged that other laborers involved in the road rehabilitation project are owed several months of unpaid wages.
Despite the hardship, they said they have continued reporting to work in the hope that the company would settle the arrears.
SSF was contracted by the Ministry of Public Works to carry out road maintenance and rehabilitation projects aimed at improving access and connectivity in southeastern Liberia.
The workers are now appealing to SSF Chief Executive Officer Samuel Shiaki Fawaz and the Liberian government to intervene and ensure that the outstanding salaries are paid.
They warned that the continued delay is placing a heavy burden on workers and their families, many of whom rely solely on their earnings from the project.
According to our Maryland County correspondent, all efforts to obtain a response from SSF management were unsuccessful as of press time.
