Harbel, Margibi – Reducing the cost of rice for employees of the Firestone Rubber Plantation Company was successfully negotiated by the Liberian government through the Ministry of Labour. As may be remembered, the National Timer, Wood, Construction, and Allied Workers Union (NTWCAWUL), which represents the workers, and the management of the Firestone Rubber Plantation Company have been at odds over the price of rice that has been provided to the employees over the past three months.
Minister Charles Gibson pledged to lead a negotiation with the rice supplier “SWAT Inc.” after a series of social dialogue meetings with the Ministry of Labor. Gibson, the labor minister, addressed the workers’ representatives from various sections and departments of the company in Harbel, telling them that the government had been successful in getting the price of the rice that management was issuing to the workers reduced by one US dollar.
He claimed that even though the supplier had listed additional expenses, such as storage, to transport the rice to Firestone, SWAT had agreed to make the sacrifice to lower the price by one dollar.
As a result, the price of a 100-pound bag of rice will now cost the employees $33.00 instead of $34.00.
According to Minister Gibson, the reduction will result in monthly savings for employees of over 8,000 USD and yearly savings of 100,000 USD for all employees.
He claimed that throughout the discussion, every effort was made to advance the interests of the workers, and he is grateful that the agreement has been received positively by management and labor leaders on both sides. The Firestone Rubber Plantation Company employees were commended by the Liberian minister of labor for standing up for the interests of the members and for maintaining friendly ties with the ministry.
Further, Minister Gibson thanked Liberia’s trade unions for maintaining the country’s labor market’s tranquility, noting that the government’s policy is the reason there hasn’t been any significant labor strife in the nation. He discussed the initiatives being taken by the Ministry of Labor to enhance the labor market, including the provision of logistics to guarantee the inspection of every workplace in order to advance workplace safety and decent pay. He also reassured workers that the government takes their interests seriously and that he will take all necessary steps to safeguard both their rights and those of their employers.
The management of the Firestone Rubber Plantation Company and the Workers’ Union, meanwhile, praised Minister Gibson for his interventions and efforts to foster peace on the plantation and greeted the government’s intervention in lowering the price of rice for workers.
Reported by: Augustine Octavius
Contact: +231777463963
Email: augustineoctavius@gmail.com
