MONROVIA-It started on a rocky ground with threats to protest, but at last, all became friends and even agreed never to embark on any form of strike or protest at Bea Mining Company.

Done in the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Labor, Bureau of Concession, National Investment Commission, and other relevant government agencies, the management or BMMC and the workers Union finally agreed to remain peaceful at all times.

To further enhance the agreement, management reinstated redundant workers and agreed not to dismiss any employee who was involved in previous protests at the company before September 17, 2022.

This followed after hours and days of negotiations between representatives of the workers union headed by Mr. Samuel A. Roberts

As a way to further cement cordial working relationships, 116 contractors’ status was raised to permanent employees. Not only that, but they will also receive all benefits such as payment of school fees for their children, medical, insurance, and monthly feeding(rice) among others.

Those employees who were reinstated were reassigned to different departments. The chairman for the workers union, Mr. Samuel A. Roberts made it known on Saturday.

The signing ceremony took place over the weekend in Kinjor.

At the end of the negotiations, both parties agreed to the following;  the reinstatement of union officials with different assignments, 90 daily hires (Casual Workers) status were changed to short term, All short term workers will all benefits ( school fees, medical insurance,  rice subsidy and other benefits contained in the CBA upon signing the new consent form from the union leadership, Recreation construction was approved awaiting completion of the land to be purchased from the community which has started;  Acceptance to start working with new bargaining agent (mother union).

Also, it was agreed that there would be the maintenance of industrial harmony at the mine.

It was agreed that there would be no strike action or lockout of any kind by the workers. More to that, It was also stated in the MOU that the workers  would continue to engage management in  social dialogue  in resolving their grievances and not in any way support or lend support to any form of strike action.

Also, management agreed that it would not institute any form of disciplinary action against any worker who had earlier engaged in strike action announced before September 16, 2022.

Management agreed to construct a recreation center in Kinjor, management agreed to furnish workers with names of workers whose employment status was changed.

Background:

It can be recalled that early this year, the company filed a notice of termination and redundancy to the ministry of Labor for 35 Liberian employees and 16 Turkish nationals on grounds that their assignment sites have been exhausted and there was no need for any job.

When the letter was sent, the chairman of the workers union, Mr. Samuel A. Roberts was served copy and did not act within the time frame.

Based upon that, the ministry granted Bea mountain permission to effect the termination of those specific employees.

After two months of said redundancy, the union chairman Mr. Samuel  A. Roberts, and Reklyatu Wayne filed with the ministry a five-count objection which was accompanied by a notice to strike and lockdown.

The union chairman in his five-count petition called for the reinstatement  of all union leaders who were declared redundant illegally  and those other illegal due paying workers; commence immediate discussions of newly exclusive bargaining  agents  on all  matters of the CBA,

A ruling was given in the case by the Ministry of Labor. However, the workers decided to father dialogue with management after a number of them decided to embark on strike action.

New Republic Liberia

Alphonso Toweh

Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets  including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and  did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters 
 He holds first  MA with honors in International  Relations and a  candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict  Resolution from the University of Liberia.