A 4-page leaked memo obtained by Verity News reveals an 18-count petition internally presented by aggrieved laboratory and field employees of Bea Mountain, raising pertinent grievances of health and safety deficiencies, underpayment, bad labor practices, etc.
The four-page petition, signed by dozens of workers and addressed to Department Manager Ozgus Odabas, outlines 18 separate grievances ranging from unsafe working conditions and poor labor practices to alleged racial discrimination and stalled career advancement.
Dated September 24, 2025, the memo accuses the company of “neglect and inequitable practices” that compromise employee health, violate international labor standards, and erode workplace dignity.
Health and Safety Failures
Among the most alarming allegations are severe occupational health and safety violations. Workers report being regularly exposed to toxic chemicals such as cyanide and hydrochloric acid without adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). They cite the inconsistent supply of gloves, masks, and face shields as placing them in direct and sustained contact with hazardous substances.
The petition also criticizes the absence of regular medical surveillance for employees handling dangerous reagents-a requirement in most international mining operations. “This is a severe oversight,” the memo states, warning of long-term health consequences.
In addition to poor safety protocols, workers describe “unsanitary” conditions at key facilities such as the Matambo Corridor Laboratory and Ndablama site, lack of climate control for prep workers, and what they call “substandard nutrition,” alleging that powdered milk, linked to infections, has been substituted for fresh milk.
Stagnant Wages and Unfair Classification
Employees say their wages have remained frozen at $300 per month for over five years, despite inflation and rising living costs. The memo calls this “unsustainable and exploitative,” further alleging that long-serving workers are consistently denied promotions, while their job titles do not reflect the technical skill or physical risks involved.
Positions currently labeled as “Prep Worker” and “Analytical Worker” should be reclassified as “Operator” and “Chemist Assistant,” the employees argue, roles that typically command higher pay in the mining sector.
The memo also decries arbitrary workload distribution and the heavy reliance on casual, daily-hire workers, which workers say undermines job security and staff morale.
Claims of Discrimination
A particularly contentious section of the grievance highlights what the employees describe as racial and national discrimination within the workforce. According to the document, expatriates with no prior experience are frequently promoted above experienced Liberian workers, sometimes after being trained by the same Liberians they eventually supervise.
“It is indefensible,” the memo reads, noting that only one Liberian chemist currently holds a senior position in the laboratory. Workers also claim that foreign employees are often assigned lighter or unskilled duties, while Liberians are left with the more hazardous tasks.
Workplace Culture and Due Process
Employees describe a hostile and undignified work environment, where they are issued warning letters for minor infractions such as taking restroom breaks. They are demanding an end to what they call a “culture of intimidation and undue stress,” and are urging management to uphold professional standards and due process in disciplinary matters.
The signatories of the memo have requested a formal meeting with company leadership by October 1, 2025, to begin addressing the issues raised. They warn that failure to respond decisively may lead to “escalated actions.”
“We are not seeking confrontation,” the workers wrote. “We are demanding the safe, just, and respectful workplace we are entitled to.”
