—- As ArcelorMittal Liberia Demands the Unconditional Release of Vehicles, Others Seized by Workers’ Union
IPNEWS: It is now three days running since Wednesday, May 10, 2023, when some members of the workers’ union engaged in an unprecedented industrial strike inconsistent with the processes laid out within the Decent Work Act (DWA). Some members of the Union forcibly and without authorization confiscated and removed large earthmoving machines (Automated Dump Trucks) from the AML Mines and relocated them to the Township of Yekepa.
The report says Representatives of the Union have also seized the keys to the AML mining equipment and have refused to surrender same. In addition to an extremely dangerous act of driving mining trucks through densely populated communities, the union is preventing other non-striking employees and contractors from going to work, thus sabotaging operations
The workers’ action came following a Labor Ministry’s ruling of April 11, 2023, into unresolved issues from the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). AML exercised its legal option and took an appeal before the National Labor Court and filed a petition for judicial review, consistent with the Decent Work Act. While the matter is before the court, the workers’ union began an unauthorized strike without notifying the Ministry of Labor or AML, as required by law.
The latest unlawful industrial action by the workers’ union has shut down production and operations at the company. AML notes with dismay that some of the union’s actions threaten the safety and health of other employees, contractors, and the community, and calls for the union to immediately end its strike and allow the legal process to take its due course.
ArcelorMittal Liberia also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all vehicles and equipment seized by the workers’ union and requests the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice to intervene and ensure the safety and security of its employees, community, and valuable assets.
A 20021 United States Department assessment of Liberia’s investment climate says Liberia is heavily dependent on foreign direct investment (FDI) to fulfill its development goals and growth potential, but foreign investors generally find the country a very difficult place to do business. Investors report negotiations with the government are often lengthy, and long-established concession agreements can subsequently face calls from government officials and lawmakers for unilateral changes. They also report resistance from local communities, which claim the government has not consulted with them about land use. Communities and employees often expect concessionaires and other large investors to provide significant support including education, healthcare, and housing. Foreign investors report that the government sides with communities and employees when such issues arise, irrespective of concession or contractual agreements.
The government-backed Business Climate Working Group (BCWG) continues to work with both public and private sector stakeholders to explore opportunities for creating a business-friendly environment. Increased collaboration between business chambers, industry associations, and the Liberian government could improve the investment climate, and international donors continue to work on investment climate issues as well. Despite the abundance of challenges, Liberia remains a country rich in natural resources, agricultural land, and abundant rainfall. Agribusiness and extractive industries investors, in particular, can find that Liberia merits careful consideration. Several large international concessionaires have invested successfully in these sectors in Liberia.
