IPNEWS: Information Minister, Jerolinmek M.Piah has disclosed that the Government of Liberia has charged and forwarded to court eight(8) persons in connection to the recent violence that was carried out by some employees of the Salala Rubber Corporation(SRC) in Margibi County.

Speaking at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT) regular press conference held Wednesday, July 16, 2024, Minister Piah disclosed that the eight persons have been charged with armed robbery, theft of property, burglary, terroristic threat, rioting and criminal conspiracy, criminal attempt to commit murder and criminal facilitation.

According to him, the eight persons who have been charged and forwarded to court include Joseph Togba, Anthony Williams, Fayiah Moses, Kemu Leo, James Sackie Bondo, the President of the workers’ union Mary Boima, Lawrence Gonkor, Secretary General, and Abraham Koro, a Nigerian national.

The minister said there is a thorough investigative report by the joint security which have been sent to the magisterial court in Weala, Bong County.

Meanwhile, Minister Piah discouraged Liberians against violent acts, adding that it discourages international investors from coming into the country.

He disclosed that because of the violence by some workers of the company, the company has decided to close permanently and has begun paying off workers, stating that about 800 workers are about to be jobless. This is what happens when people choose violence over peaceful engagement and dialogue”.

Piah revealed that the government has been working with the management to reconsider their decision for the greater good of the country.

“Over the course of last week, senior officials of government led by the Attorney General, Cllr. N. Aswold Tweh, have been engaging with the management of the Salala Rubber Corporation”, the Minister said, “The engagement came in the aftermath of the violent action that took place at SRC”.

Minister Piah informed Liberians that the Government of Liberia is still in talk with the management of SRC to reconsider their decision, stressing that such decision will strangulate Liberians who are employed with the company.

The Chief Spokesperson of the Liberian Government condemned the acts of violence as it scares away investors and that citizens have to desist from any form of violence because it undermines the progress of the country.

The Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) on Thursday, June 27, 2024 announced the indefinite closure of its operations with immediate effect following a violent protest by workers.

The protest, which involved the ransacking of the company’s administrative headquarters, and the burning of the company’s properties was sparked by the management’s alleged refusal to compensate workers for five days of absence after they were involved in a previous strike action.

It may be recalled, on July 1, 2024, The Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC), Bong County, has announced the closure of the company’s operation due to the recent illegal and violent strike action carried out by employees of the company, assuring to pay end-of-service compensation, in keeping with applicable laws.

On Thursday, June 27, 2024, protesting workers, mainly tappers of the Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC), resulted to violence against the company for not paying their wages for about five months. The protest was characterized by arson attack and looting. The General Manager of the plantation, Ajith Kumar (an Indian national), was said to have narrowly escaped the protest scene unharmed.

General Manager Kumar was held hostage by the aggrieved protesters, who demanded that he leaves the company’s premises because of alleged bad leadership.

The striking workers forcefully entered the company’s main factory in Weala and set the administrative offices, including the home of the Plantation Manager, Sangeeth Sathyan, and his assigned vehicle, ablaze.

In a closure notice issued on Saturday, June 29, 2024, the SRC management said, “In the wake of the recent illegal and violent strike action carried out by employees, in particular, on Thursday, June 27, 2024, which led to the manhandling of senior personnel and staff, especially the General Manager and one of the company’s plantation superintendent, issuing of death threats, as well as the wanton destruction of company  properties by burning of senior staff residential units, the plantation manager’s vehicle, smashing offices, setting fire to offices and looting, etc., management hereby informs that the operation of the company is closed with immediate effect until otherwise decided.

“Meanwhile, management informs all employees that the company will pay appropriate end-of-service compensation, in keeping with applicable laws.”

Meanwhile, the abrupt closure of the SRC is expected to leave over 2,500 direct and indirect employees jobless, with further stress on the Boakai administration.