By Daniel Garteh
Aggrieved Redundant Workers of Arcelor Mittal Liberia have blocked the company’s Railway obstructing normal movement in Sanniquellie in demand of benefits.
The Aggrieved Redundant Workers believed to be about 30 in numbers, used heavy rocks, logs and other materials to block the track right behind the George Way Harley government hospital in Sanniquellie.
Speaking to Reporters, the head of the Redundant AML Workers Kingston Nyenebo said, they intend to stay on the railroad until the Company’s CEO or President George Weah can address their grievances.
The Redundant Workers and Concerned Nimbaians, an advocacy group, on Tuesday gave Arcelor Mittal and the government of Liberia 48 hours ultimatum to settle with them or could use other means they didn’t disclosed.
The protest by the Redundant AML Workers came despite recent call by the Secretary General of the Nimba County Legislative Caucus Samuel Kogar appeal for them to exercise restraint.
According to the aggrieved redundant workers, the company is still owing them their benefits which contravene the 2015 Decent Work Law.
He noted that the Local County Administration of Nimba and the leadership of the Caucus were in negotiations with the Company to resolve the matter.
The Aggrieved Redundant Workers were lay off in 2014, when AML announced decline in global market as a result of financial meltdown and the deadly Ebola crisis in Liberia.
AML Mineral Agreement
In 2005, ArcelorMittal Liberia signed the first Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) to allow the company to begin mining operations in Yekepa, Nimba county and Buchanan, Grand Bassa county concessions. This agreement was then renegotiated and amended in 2006.
The MDA carries stringent conditions regarding sustainable development and economic, social and environmental investment. Its aim is to ensure that, while foreign companies are able to generate a profit from their investment in the extraction of Liberia’s resources, the country and its citizens benefit as well.
Among other things, it stipulates that ArcelorMittal contribute $3 million a year to the county social development fund for Nimba, Bong and Grand Bassa Counties. This money, which over the 25-year expected life-of-mine will total $75 million, will be used to drive community development projects that will uplift and improve the lives of local people.
Arcelor Mittal Liberia is a subsidiary Arcelor Mittal, the world’s leading steel and mining company headquartered in Luxembourg.
