The Management of Arcelormittal Liberia (AML) has committed to addressing its workers’ concerns about salary disparity and salary increment within the next two weeks.
The management has also promised to shortly begin the disbursement of workers’ long outstanding bonuses retroactively.
Speaking at the conclusion of a specially called meeting convened Wednesday by the Minister of State, Wesseh Blamo, ArcelorMittal CEO, Mr. Jozephus Coenen, also promised to consider instructing AML team of lawyers to pause or withdraw ongoing litigation at the National Labor Court on an appeal process growing out of a recent adverse Ruling rendered by Labor Minister, Cllr. Charles Gibson.
Early last month (April), the Ministry of Labor rendered a Ruling in favor of AML workers on a long outstanding dispute bordering on salary disparity and demand for salary increment.
The said Ruling adjudged AML Management guilty of unfair Labor practices and ordered a 5% increment in workers’ salary.
The AML Management took exception to the said Ruling and filed an Appeal to the National Labor Court.
The workers responded by engaging in a strike action that jeopardized AML operations in Nimba and Grand Bassa counties.
The National Labor Court responded by issuing a Stay Order against the strike and a joint GoL team comprising the Ministries of State, Labor, Mines & Energy, and the Bureau of Concession was on Tuesday dispatched to AML facilities in Nimba and Grand Bassa counties to restore calm and ensure that AML operations in those counties are not interrupted.
Tuesday meeting was attended by the Ministers of Labor, Mines & Energy, and the head of the Bureau of Concession.
In attendance was retired Chief Justice, Francis Korkpor, who was recently appointed by President George M. Weah, as a member of the Board of Directors of ArcelorMittal International, a statement issued by the Ministry of Labor and signed by Minister/ Cllr. Charles Gibson said.
