By Dennise Nimpson| contributor
Cotton Tree, MARGIBI- President George Manneh Weah has assured the Leadership of the Firestone Agricultural Workers’ Union of Liberia (FAWUL) government full support in their quest of redress.
Speaking Tuesday at Town Hall Meeting in Cotton Tree, President Weah said upon taken office, the issue of firestone workers was one of the first challenges government encountered and was able to solve.
“When we came the first year there was lot of yo-yo, but thank God we were able to solve it with our partners.” President Weah noted.
According to him, government has being working behind the scene to ensure that FAWUL concerns are met for the betterment of their livelihood.
In 2018 Firestone laid-off more than 1,000 of its employees and was accused that the dismissed workers were denied all benefits.
However, the Liberian Leader stressed the need to utilize the rightful procedures in addressing the concerns of the workers.
Labor Ministry to get involve
President Weah disclosed that the Minister of Labor will join FAWUL Leadership to ensure their plights are handled and to permanently solve the existing problems in the interest of the people and the country.
The Liberian Leader stressed, “Any other things needed should we should pass through the right procedures, so the Labor Minister will join you to ensure all the things you want is done.”
The President disclosure was in respond to an eight-count petition statement from the Leadership of the Firestone Agricultural Workers’ Union of Liberia (FAWUL) requesting his timely intervention.
FAWUL as part of the petition statement wants, “The current decent Work Acts of 2015 on retirement pension be repeal, for the fact that it does not reflect the interest of humanity.”
“The medical opinion employees of Firestone who got sick or injured while in the company’s employed order than job related sickness or injury be cater to by company and also be compensated for services rendered, especially during the cause of employment,” The group said.
The workers also seek intervention of long standing court proceeding amongst others.
Meanwhile, President George Weah instructed the Minister of Internal Affairs, Varney Sirleaf to work along with the Traditional Leaders to ensure that chiefs who complained of not receiving salary or benefit are solve but through the rightful process as indicated by law.
At the same time, he thanked the people of Margibi for electing him, noting government is committed to foster growth and development across the country and the County is no exception.
Firestone Liberia Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Inc., is the world’s single largest contiguous natural rubber producing operation. Present in Liberia since 1926.
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