By Varney J. Scott
some angry due payers of the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia FAWUL, under the banner of the Grass Root Members of FAWUL are calling on the Ministry of Labor to quickly implement the recent recommendations forwarded to the ministry in November 2012.
According to the spokesperson of the group Mr. Zobon Jomah, who spoke to our reporter, the ministry was playing delayed tactics in implementing the recommendations from the offices of the Labor Commissioner in Harbel, lower Margibi County.
Mr. Jomah said the ministry was dragging its feet in looking into the matter; something which he said could spark tension if it is not address soon.
Some of the issues highlighted in the document a copy of which is in the possession of this paper, the current leadership of FAWUL did not submit financial report to the workforce or due payers of the establishment, the revised constitution declared null and void did not meet the acquiescence of two third of the workers of the company; and the leadership was given a month to conduct audit and submit to the ministry and the workers, but the leadership has fail to do so.
Mr. Zobon Jomah added that accountability and proper information dissemination was lacking by the current leadership of FAWUL and is calling on the Ministry of Labor to speedily look into the workers` plight. The Grass Root Due Payers’ spokesperson indicated that the workers were impatient and wanted the ministry to hasten its feet in implementing the recommendations by being more proactive.
When quizzed as to what will be done in addressing their plight, Mr. Jomah said the group will follow the legal process.
When contacted, the Assistant Minister for Trade Union Affairs at the Ministry of Labor Michael Wah said that the ministry was aware of the recommendations from the Labor Commissioner in Harbel, but added that ministry was working on modalities aimed at address the Grass Root Due Payers concern early January 2013.
He urged them to remain calm as the ministry has several other labor related issues to address and not only the Grass Rooters of FAWUL.
Minister Wah said he understands the eagerness the due payers have, but assured them that government was following all labor related matters in the country with keen interest and call on them to be patient as everyone was now celebrating the festive season.
For his part when contacted, the Secretary General of the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia, Mr. Edwin B. Cisco said he will not give credence to anything, noting that the group was using such means to get unnecessary relevance, “the gentlemen are free under the law to express their opinion”.
