The House Committee on Concession and Investment has summoned the Management of Firestone for what it calls decisions by the Management of Firestone to lay off over 300 of its employees.
According to the House’s Committee on Concession after an urgent meeting held and attended by the leadership of the Legislative Caucus of Margibi County, the anticipated decision of Firestone Liberia to reduce her Labor Force by 374 by July 26, 2020 was unacceptable.
Although, the planned decision to lay off more than 300 of its workforce is being anticipated, the Chairman of the House Statutory Committee on Investment & Concessions, Hon. Tibelrosa, has left no stone unturned, but to immediately instruct the CHIEF CLERK of the Honorable House of Representatives, Mildred N. Sayon to invite the Senior Management Team of Firestone Liberia, Inc. to a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at 10a.m. in the First Floor Conference Room, House Wing of the Capitol Building.
A release issued yesterday by the Chairman of the HOUSE’S Statutory Committee on Investment and Concessions, Representative Tarponweh is quoted as addressing the unfortunate and unacceptable decision being anticipated by Firestone to lay off some of their employees in the face of the rampaging COVID-19 global pandemic which is negatively impacting the national economy.
“It is not in the best interest of Firestone to abruptly announce a redundancy scheme without consulting the relevant Government Agencies or authorities, including the Liberian Legislature, reducing Cost to protect the long term viability of the Company cannot be done at an undue expense of our people,” he stated.
“In concert with its oversight responsibility to intervene and investigate national Investment and Concessional Matters, the House of Representatives’ Statutory Committee on Investment and Concessions hereby encourages all parties (Firestone Liberia and its Employees) to remain calm as the Committee is exerting all efforts to engage relevant authorities so as to respect and preserve the rights of all,” he averred.
Meanwhile, the House’ Chairman on Concessions and Investment, Rep. Tibelrosa has expressed concern and dismay over reports of anticipated massive redundancy of 374 employees at the Firestone Liberia Company in Lower Margibi County.
It can be recalled that Firestone Company entered into a concession agreement with the Government of Liberia in 1926 to engage in the cultivation and exportation of rubber products, but according to its Management, the company’s operations continue to face daunting challenges; and as such, its Management has concluded to reduce their work force.
Within the company’s recent notice communicated to key stakeholders on June 24, 2020, the Firestone Liberia Company explained that it anticipates a reduction in its workforce headcount of approximately three hundred seventy-four (374) employees emanating from the Company’s Estate Department.
Rep. Tarponweh explained that it is disheartening to see Firestone laying off their employees at this present state of the Liberian economy, especially during the unfortunate time of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
On March 18, 2019, Firestone-Liberia Company, through its press release, said it will reduce its staff by 13 percent, or approximately 800 employees, at the early quarter of 2019 due to several constraints including a fall in the rubber price on the world market. Reports have indicated that the company began implementing its plan with over 300 workers being laid off so far and replacing them with contractors.
Edwin G. Wandah writes.