Rep. Jones Engages Firestone

-After Reportedly Throwing Redundant Employees’ Children Out Of School

By R. Joyclyn Wea

Authorities of Margibi County have begun discussion with the management of Firestone Rubber Company to ensure that children of redundant employees of the company are allowed to end the academic school year.

Over hundred students of the Liberia Firestone School System were thrown out of school recently by the company; something that led Lawmakers in the County to begin engaging the management of Firestone Liberia as a mean of ensuring that children of Lay off employees remain in school until the end of the school year.

Monday’s meeting was attended by Margibi County Representative Ivar Jones and Jalarwah Tonpo and the management agreed to allow the children in school with condition that their parents (redundant employees) restitute the money given them by the company.

It can be recalled in April of this year, the management of Firestone Liberia layoff over four hundred employees who children are still in the company’s school system.

The management gave each parent US$75.00 as educational resettlement package. The money was given with condition that redundant employees would take their children from the Firestone School System upon receiving such amount.

During the arrangement at the time, Firestone Liberia furthered that they will only accept two children of those redundant workers in the school for the academic year 2018/2019; meaning if anyone of them has more than two, they will have to find a way because the company will not allow them.

Based upon said arrangement between the management and redundant workers, the company decided to send the children out of the school.

However, it is not yet established as to whether the redundant workers will be in the position to restitute said amount or their lawyer will under write the cost to bringing the matter to an end in order for the children to continue their studies.