By Bill W. Cooper
It is barely three months since the Jeety Rubber LLC took over the Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) but the prospects are high and contractors as well as employees are giving positive evaluation.
SRC is a cornerstone of the local economy in Weala, Margibi County, housing hundreds of Liberians as employees.
However, the company, over the years has faced some major challenges, particularly regarding employees’ treatment, which include low salaries, bad labor practice and working conditions that has to do with the deplorable condition of various facilities intended to cater to workers.
But the significant shift in management has brought a renewed wave of optimism and morale among the workforce and their dependents.
According to the employees, the transfer of management has brought total relief and dignity through massive ongoing reforms at the plantation.
Under the new ownership of Indian businessman, and owner of Jeety Rubber LLC, Upjit Singh Sachdeva, the tappers reported a marked improvement in their working conditions, wages, and overall treatment compared to their experiences under previous management.
The Salala Rubber Corporation has been a major player in Liberia’s rubber industry, with the company providing employment to thousands of locals, contributing to the economic fabric of the region.
Over the years, SRC has been criticized for its labor practices, with employees often voicing concerns about low wages, inadequate working conditions, and a lack of communication from management.
The situation, during some part of 2024, reached a boiling point where strike and protest actions became more frequent as workers demanded better pay and conditions, leaving the former management struggling to address these issues and that led to the change in ownership.
But in September of 2024, Indian businessman Jeety legally and officially took ownership of the company, thus increasing his workforce by 900 Liberians.
His vision for the company included not only increasing production but also improving the lives of the employees who work tirelessly to keep the operation running, thus quickly begun implementing changes aimed at fostering a more positive work environment.
Even though no fixed price has so far been attached to the purchase, Jeety Rubber LLC won the bid for SRC’s 4,400-hectare natural rubber plantation against the Firestone Liberia and a former shareholder of the Socfinaf Group.
The Socfinaf S.A., which owned SRC is Liberia’s fourth-largest rubber-producing and processing company, as it produces semi-processed rubber used in the manufacture of tires.
The company was formed in July of 2007 through the merger of a stand-alone rubber processing factory (Weala Rubber Company) and a stand-alone rubber plantation (formerly Salala Rubber Corporation).
Also during a tour of the plantation by a team of journalists, it was also observed that the new management has embarked on a massive renovation of all of the dilapidated infrastructures at the plantation, including the clinic, three schools and several housing units.
Aside from the renovation of these major infrastructures, the management has also commenced construction of over 300 new spacious two-bedroom dwelling quarters for its workforce, aiming to complete the project by the end of the year.
Adding to the initiatives, the new management also provides busses intended to commute students, the introduction of feeding for students, the timely payment of salaries, provision of free medical facility and school for employees’ spouses and children, among others.
In conversation with the Hospital General Physician, Dr. Ahsan Mark expressed his excitement to have formed part of the new management, ensuring that they will help to give Liberian employees dignified and more refined living standards.
He said since taking over the clinic, they have been able to adequately provide for the employees, their spouses and children as well as other community dwellers at a very low cost as compared to the previous management.
He said, “To date, all of the company workers and their family are being treated free without a dime being paid but only their pregnant women are paying a minimum fees of LD1,000 while outsiders are also paying minimum fees for treatment.”
“Again, we are doing these things because these employees also need to be treated fairly because without them, there will be no SRC, and also, the community in which this company is benefiting too needs to feed the impact and this is the vision and dream of Mr. Jeety,” he added.
Also in a conversation with journalists was the Salala Rubber Corporation School System (SRCSS) principal, Cythbert Williams, who extolled Jeety for changing the school’s condition which he said has now led to the massive enrolment and effective running of the school.
He also stated that due to the school feeding program and provision of other materials, it has significantly helped and contributed to the fast learning of students who once found it difficult during the past SRC management.
Mr. Williams added that since the school was taken over by Jeety, there have been serious academic competitions amongst students, something he said never used to be done in past time, assuring of flying colors of SRC in the coming national exam.
Meanwhile, as the new management settled in, employees, precisely tappers have begun to notice a significant shift in the company’s culture, with many of them expressing their relief and gratitude for the changes they have experienced.
One of the tappers, James Teah, commonly known as First Boy said, “It’s like a breath of fresh air since the coming of our papay Jeety, because under the old management, we felt like we were just numbers. Now, we feel valued and respected.”
He maintained, “Jeety and his team can really listen to us anytime we have problem. They have regular meetings where we can voice our concerns, and they actually take action. It’s a huge difference from before when we felt ignored and marginalized.”
Another tapper, Anthony Tiao, expressed his gratitude for the many initiatives, including the free medication, housing project, Christmas bonuses, free school and medication for their children among others.
He maintained, “Living in the old housing units has been a challenge and even to get treatment whenever tappers were sick was war but today, everything is free and we are glad the issue is now being addressed, giving us hope for a better working environment in years to come.”
Other tappers also narrated that some of the most notable changes has been in the area of wages, improvements in working conditions, addressing health concerns for both employees and their children and the engagement with the local community among others.
Meanwhile, despite the positive changes, challenges remain. The rubber industry is inherently volatile, subject to fluctuations in global demand and prices, but the employees added that they are aware that the success and the improvement of their condition by the new management will take time.
They are also optimistic about a smooth and productive working environment to be implemented by Jeety and team, and added, “We are hopeful even though we know that the industry can be unpredictable. We just want to keep moving forward and working happily with our new bosses.”
As the SRC continues to navigate the complexities of the rubber industry, the new management headed by Jeety sets a promising precedent on employees’ welfare and community engagement.
The positive feedback from the employees also reflects a significant cultural shift within the company, one that prioritizes respect, safety, and collaboration, while Jeety’s vision for SRC extends beyond mere profitability; it encompasses a holistic approach to business that values the contributions of every employee.
