The Ministry of Labor has denied Alien Work Permit to 44 expatriates seeking employment at AFCONS Infrastructure, a subcontracting company of world steel giant, Arcelor Mittal in Yekepa, Nimba County.
Minister Cooper Kruah informed AFCONS Infrastructure Management saying, “After careful examination of your application, the Ministry of Labor regrets to inform you that your application is hereby denied; pursuant to Chapter 45, section 1 of The Decent Work Act of 2015.”
According to the Labor release, Minister Kruah mandated AFCONS Management to do due diligence in giving preference to qualified Liberians, with emphasis on those already in the employ of the company.
Following the swift intervention by the Labor Ministry, workers and Management at AFCONS, have resolved their differences, ending nine-day strike action.
The Ministry disclosed that workers at AFCONS recently embarked on a go-slow, outlining several grievances ranging from bad work conditions, disparities in wages, lack of safe drinking water, and general welfare.
The striking AFCONS workforce threatened to lay indefinite siege to all roads leading to the AFCONS operations site at Yekepa and totally paralyze its operations, had the Labor Ministry not swiftly intervene to compel management to address their grievances, the release disclosed.
Minister Kruah also directed Nimba County Labor Commissioner Alex Suomie to commence initial engagement with both management and the striking AFCONS workers, in a bid to swiftly resolve the crisis through social dialogue.
The release revealed that after days of negotiations, Minister Kruah personally held a daylong zone meeting with both management and leadership of the striking AFCONS workforce, eventually leading to a major breakthrough late last evening when the workers finally returned to work this morning.
Minister Kruah further expressed gratitude to the workers for their peaceful conduct during the go slow, adding that, unlike previous industrial actions when properties of concession conglomerates and personnel fell victim, the recent industrial unrest at AFCONS was carried out in line with laid down rules governing such labor-related actions.
Meanwhile, Minister Kruah is also calling on investment companies in the country to ensure the total betterment of their workers to prevent frequent industrial unrest and sustain the current peaceful industrial atmosphere under the administration of President Joseph Boakai.
