By Bill W. Cooper
Several aggrieved workers of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) have staged a peaceful protest against the poor handling of the entity by its Director General, Emma Metieh Glassco.
The aggrieved workers, during their protestation yesterday at the entity’s offices in Freeport of Monrovia, described Madam Glassco as an ‘arrogant, and corrupt public official’.
The employees’ protestation comes days after Madam Glassco was accused of illegally dismissing her driver for supporting President Joseph Boakai during the 2023 presidential election.
But Madam Glassco has since denied the allegation through her Communication Director, Lewis Konoe, clarifying that the driver’s dismissal was strictly in line with the institution’s guidelines and policies.
The aggrieved workers, during their protestation, also accused the NaFAA Boss of bad labor practices, inhumane treatment against staffers, illegal dismissal, and forceful resignation.
Other allegations are the deduction of sea going observers’ allowances paid by fishing companies on the Liberian waters, and refusal to give seagoing observers’ insurance after receiving payment from fishing companies.
Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved workers, Patrick T. Wisseh explained that for the past six years, Madam Glassco has not done any increment in salaries, coupled with her deliberate refusal to provide a bus for employees.
Wisseh noted that under the leadership of Madam Glassco, NaFAA has also been involved into massive corruption and conflict of interest, with three Senegalese shrimp vessels, Amine, Kanbal III, and Sokone conducting experiment fishing over two years but proceeds of 10 percent is unaccounted for.
The workers’ spokesperson also demanded an independent investigation of the fisheries act submitted to former President George Weah’s office for signature in 2021, disclosing that said act was different from the act submitted to the 54th Legislature in 2023.
Meanwhile, the aggrieved workers have called on the Legislature to prevail on Madam Glassco to reinstate all illegally dismissed staffers, grant an employment status to all contractors who have been working for over two years now, and commission an impartial investigation and audit.
“We are giving corrupt and wicked Emma Glassco from now to next Monday, and if our demands are not addressed, we will prevent anyone from entering the premises of NaFAA,” Wisseh warned.
When contacted, Madam Glassco described the claims against her person as politically motivated, emphasizing that the aggrieved workers are not of national concern.
She clarified that, “If they are truthful to themselves, let them substantiate their claims against me. Their actions are politically motivated and some of them are being paid to do what they are doing.”
Also commenting on the prevention of staff from entering the NaFAA premises next Monday, Glassco maintained, “I wait to see such action taking place, but until then, I have not more to say.”
