Monrovia, Liberia – The new Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) management has started building new housing for its employees, with the goal of finishing the project by the end of the year.
Business tycoon Upjit Singh Sachdeva, who currently runs SRC, took the effort, which is a major step in resolving long-standing public complaints about the subpar living circumstances of workers. Previously, several labor groups and rights organizations have criticized this issue.
SRC, the third-largest rubber-producing and processing enterprise in Liberia with over 900 employees, was once controlled by the Belgian-French agricultural group Socfin. Socfin attributed its decision to offload its SRC business in large part to years of financial losses and violent worker demonstrations in mid-June over living conditions, medical care for work-related injuries, and other demands.
But since acquiring SRC in August of last year, Sachdeva has started a number of modernization initiatives to enhance the living and working circumstances of the company’s employees as well as other facilities, such as finishing the clinic and three schools.
Speaking on the new quarters’ development, Mr. Sachdeva stated that the decision is morally required and marks the start of the new SRC management’s long-term commitment to enhancing the dignity of its employees.
“Our employees are the foundation of this business, and they should have safe, hygienic, and comfortable living conditions,” Mr. Sachdeva stated. “It is not only a business decision but also a moral imperative to improve their living conditions.”
In order to make SRC a model of contemporary plantation management, he continued, “this project is just one of many steps we are taking.”
Over 300 new, roomy two-bedroom apartment buildings are being built as part of the housing project, which has received positive feedback from workers who stress that the development is long needed.
The workers’ appreciation for the housing project was conveyed by Junior Dean and Yamah Dean, who has been employed by SRC for many years as a tapper and cup cleaner. They said, “Living in the old housing units has been a challenge, but they are glad the issue is now being addressed, giving hope for a better working environment.”
Teacher Morris Fahnbulleh mirrored these views. “Seeing progress being done is a relief. After feeling disregarded for so long, it appears that the management is now paying attention to us.
The first group of workers will shortly receive accommodation from the continuing project, which has so far witnessed the completion of 50 apartments. Employees had been asking for more self-contained units, and the new ones are a big improvement over the previous ones.
Under his direction, the SRC is creating a future where workers feel appreciated, respected, and supported, according to Mr. Sachdeva. He continued by saying that the investment is motivated by the idea that a successful business results from treating employees well.
In the meanwhile, over the holiday season, SRC and its parent business, Jeety Rubber, showed kindness to the kids of its workers and other people of the neighborhood. The recipients really appreciated the presents and necessary tools that were given to more than 5000 workers and children in Weala and other camps.
The company’s founder, Mr. Sachdeva, expanded his charitable endeavors beyond the plantation and Weala by feeding over 1,500 prisoners at the Kakata Central Prison and the Monrovia Central Prison.
An additional 1,200 underprivileged youths in Vai Town and on Central Street were also fed, while 1843 prisoners in the Kakata and Monrovia Central Prisons had hot cook meals just with drinks.
In addition to our employees, we also need to take care of the people who are frequently overlooked. “Especially during the holidays, everyone deserves to feel supported,” he remarked.
