Imminent Strike Action At Arcelor Mittal In Nimba …Rep. Toweh Alarms Several residents residing around the operational site of Arcelor Mittal in Nimba County, District 2, have threatened to stage a peaceful protest due to the refusal of the company to fulfill its social corporate responsibilities. Speaking to legislative reporters on Tuesday, June 18, Representative Ricks Yeah Toweh alleged that the company has refused to employ more Liberians. According to him, Arcelor Mittal has hired a Ghanaian company (Engineers & Planners) that has reportedly employed more Ghanaians than Liberians. He claimed that the Ghanaian company is allegedly paying its nationals more money, and Liberians getting insufficient amount monthly. The Nimba County Electoral District 6 legislator said the people of the county are dissatisfied about the selective method at the company’s operation site. He alleged that foreign mining company has hired a Ghanaian institution to provide daily meal for its employees. Representative Toweh alleged the company has employed Ghanaian drivers and cooks. He claimed that more Liberians have the capacity to drive and cook delicious meal. The National Union For Democratic Progress Lawmaker (NUDP) called on the Ghanaian Firm hire to mine for Arcelor Mittal to prioritize Liberians. He stressed the urgent need for the company to continuously build the capacity of Liberians who are skilled and unskilled. The Nimba County lawmaker said Liberians need to benefit from their natural resources. When contacted, Engineers & Planner Head of Finance & Administration, Madam Pamela C. Bowen said argument raised by the lawmaker is arguable and untrue. According to her, more Liberians are in the employed of the company than Ghanaians. She said hundreds of Liberians have undergone professional training at the mining site in Nimba County. Madam Bowen pointed out that more training programs are ongoing at the company’s operation site. She clarified that since the company operation in 2011, many unskilled Liberians who were employed are gradually performing in the discharge of their duties. The Engineers & Planners boss mentioned that 202 Liberians are in the employ of the company. She clarified that Liberians are occupying managerial positions at the entity head office in Monrovia and Nimba County. Madam Bowen asserted that Liberians are earning attractive salary monthly with other benefits. She named health, education, death benefits, among others as some of the progresses that meet international labor standard. The youthful administrator said building the capacities of Liberians is pivotal to the growth and expansion of the company. She said the 37 Ghanaians are regularly training Liberians employees at work and in the training room. The Engineers & Planner Chief Administrator Liberians who have been trained are performing excellently, but added that more needs to be done to build their capacities. She intoned that the company has sophisticated and specialize earth moving equipment that needs professionals and not learners. Madam Bowen clarified that the 37 Ghanaians offer tutorial classes for Liberians employee to enable productivity and efficiency in the discharge of duties. She said the company is expending sufficient funding to train Liberians at its operation site in Nimba County. The American head said the company has three swifts that Liberians and Ghanaians work together. She clarified that the foreign experts are not going to stay in Liberia for long, but might leave the country after Liberians are properly prepared to operate the mining site. Madam Bowen said the 37 Ghanaians were working at the company project sites in Ghana. She averred that the company has won several international contracts to provide mining expertise and equipment. The company leader cautioned high profile officials to regularly visit its operational site and Monrovia offices for more information. She added that Ghanaians and Liberians have good diplomatic ties and promised more training for Liberians.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:29:47 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015