Monrovia, Liberia – 127 Liberian contractors have been upgraded to full-time employees by ArcelorMittal Liberia, offering them the prospect of work stability. The company’s mining settlements in Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa are home to a number of new staff members.
The majority of them are Articulated Dump Truck (ADT) operators. Some of the happy workers claim that after completing training courses offered by ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Mobile Training Section, they have been working there for three to six months.
They received a monthly stipend throughout training to help with accommodation, food, and transportation. They were offered Short Term Employment (STE) after completing their training, and as of this February, they have been promoted to Fixed Term workers (FTE) or permanent workers.
The announcement and following letter distribution caught the ADT operators off guard, despite their shared desire for job status. They feel that this was one of the best things that AML has done to make Liberians happy.
Young female operator Melvina Sonah is eager to convey the importance and advantages of her work position. “For me, heaven has now arrived on earth. My long-term goal is to support my families by putting food on their table, covering my kids’ education, and taking care of other needs. Being an employee comes with benefits like school fees, rice, and other things, so I’m really thankful that I can work for AML,” Melvina stated.
Another female operator, Sarah M. Seakel, is grateful for the shift in status and emphasizes that while she feels comfortable now, she will still take her work seriously because many people aspire to her current status.
Melvina Sonah jubilantly climbed on her ADT to go for materials
According to Junifort Mantor, “Being with AML as an employee is a great opportunity that many are seeking,” she hinted that completing the ADT Operator’s Training to obtain a status with AML is a great opportunity for her. “Being one of the workers now gives me hope for the future in terms of providing for my families.”
Mines Superintendent Momoh B. Moore is also pleased that those under his supervision are able to get employment status. Mr. Moore emphasizes that the change will increase productivity and that it reduces the operators’ concerns.
Mr. Moore went on to say that operating in a setting like the mines requires a calm mindset and caution, and the actions taken by AML Management give everyone confidence that the operators will follow safety regulations and guidelines.
The 127 full time employees were transitioned in line with the company’s improvement. AML is not afraid to hire additional contractors when the business climate improves in areas like productivity and safety, according to Human Resources Business Partner Attorney Patience Jordan Kargbah.
