By Solomon T. Gaye
The Cocopa Rubber Plantation situated in Nimba County, has now turned to a ghost town as a result of workers’ strike action in demand of their salaries and other arrears.
Speaking to this paper in an exclusive interview, the Liberia National Police (LNP) outgoing Commander, Dixon Kemokai, called on the county administration to probe the Cocopa workers’ complaint against the management regarding payment of salaries and arrears.
This, he narrated, “The Cocopa workers’ situation poses a serious threat to the peace we are enjoying today, and it will interest you to note that workers have given March 30, 2024 as the deadline for management to settle all arrears or they will block the road and obstruct citizens’ movement.”
Commander Kemokai added that, at the beginning of March 2024, the company’s worker union wrote the police and county administration, informing them of their planned demonstrations in demands of their salaries and a good working condition, but all to no avail.
In separate remarks, healthcare workers working with the Cocopa Plantation company also disclosed that workers are no longer going to work at the various plantations, due to lack of salaries and other arrears, coupled with bad labor practices and poor working conditions.
The nurses noted, “The health workers are not working again because the factory is closed, and even the rubber tappers are no more working, needless to talk about the office staff and other employees, which include drivers and janitors.”
Meanwhile, when contacted, Sanniquellie acting superintendent, Darious Vaye, confirmed that workers of the Cocopa have informed the county administration about their planned demonstrations, but stated that plans are under way to resolve the matter.
“We met with the workers a week ago as the local authority and pleaded with them to exercise patience. We also channeled their grievances and concerns to the county caucus, and the caucus chairperson assured us that the workers’ complaint will be addressed in the soonest possible time,” he said.
Also, in conversation with this paper, the Cocopa Rubber Plantations HR, Gondah Nenwah, confirmed the situation unfolding at the plantation by the workers, but revealed that management is working to resolve the situation.
“The factory is closed and nobody is coming to work for fear of being attacked by the workers, and I can confirm to you that management is working to address the workers’ concerns, but in the meantime, we need the government’s protection at the plantations, because the company’s managerial team and properties are under threat and we cannot solve the problem in the midst of violence or protest. Yes, it is their right to protest, but we believe that dialogue is the best way to go for the sake of our fragile peace,” Nenwah asserted.
