Robertsport, Grand
The workers have further threatened to shut down the company's operations as of
The workers' action comes less than three months following the acquisition of the Sime Darby Plantation Liberia (SDPL) from its parent company based in
The earn-out payment,
The deal marked the end of
The company said apart from weak prices, it grappled with high cost, lower-than-expected yields due to extremely dry weather conditions, and disruption caused by an outbreak of diseases and demonstrations by workers and affected community members in demand of just benefit from time-to-time.
Meanwhile, it appears that some of the problems that grappled
What Are Their Demands?
The workers including members of the Project Affected Communities (PAC), in a statement, outlined a list of demand ranging from a formal introduction of the Mano Oil Palm (MPOP) to the Project Affected PAC by the Government and continuation of the agreements the community reached with SDPL.
According to them, the PAC and
"The Government has not done any formal introduction, and the PAC does not know what is enshrined in the new agreement," PAC Chairman,
Against this backdrop, Kromah said the PAC is requesting the company to state in the presence of the Government, whether it will live up to the Concession Agreement and the memorandum of understanding it signed with the SDPL.
"The Concession Agreement [with SDPL) states that top managerial positions should be given to PAC members but as it stands, there is no PAC member as superintendent or manager and, therefore, we call on the Government of
Chairman Kromah further stated that there are more than 12,000 residents within the PAC but only 609 are employed, while contracts are given to outsiders.
He called on the
The aggrieved party also wants the new company to give an update on the 'Participatory Mapping' exercise conducted by SDPL before leaving
But following the exercise, SDPL left without disclosing the outcome of the mapping and the payment of the fund.
"SDPL didn't give any information on the participatory mapping before exiting
He explained that teachers have not been paid for two months, and when they inquired, they were told that the school was turned over to the Government by SDPL.
The situation, according to Kromah, has led the school to an abrupt closure. He wants the Government to confirm the company's claim and take appropriate measures to reopen the school.
In addition, the PAC further stated that the concession agreement with
Kromah alleged that the PAC members were often denied scholarships by SDPL who favor outsiders. However, they want the trend to be reversed for residents of the concession communities to benefit.
He also revealed that SDPL promised to undertake an out-grower scheme for communities aimed at empowering farmers and offering them some of the already planted areas to the PAC, but the SDPL did not live up to the said promise.
He is also requesting an update on the status of the out-grower scheme.
Another contentious issue is the rice ration the PAC alleged the company has cut off.
The PAC said the company's decision to stop the rice ration "depicts that they do not want citizens to survive."
According to them, the company usually gives four 25kg of rice but has decided to cut it down to 2-25kg.
Kromah urged the citizens to resist MPOP's decision, stating that PAC's Employees are willing to take any deduction but will not accept MPOP decision to halt the second bag.
Government's Prompt Intervention
Meanwhile,
According to sources, the workers agreed to cutoff the strike for a week to allow the mediation process to take place.
When contacted, PAC Chairman Kromah welcome the Government's intervention and said the intent of the strike is not to cripple the company but to ensure the right things are done.
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