MONROVIA: Aggrieved workers of Lebanese-owned mineral water company, Aqua Life, which is situated in Brewersville, Montserado Country, yesterday staged a peaceful protest against what they described as labor abuses that they have been encountering from the company’s foreign bosses.
Over 36 workers of the water company inclusive of contractors, individuals who are hired on a daily basis, and drivers on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, complained to the Government of Liberia (GOL), through the Ministry of Labor, alleging unfavorable treatments being accorded them by members of the company’s Management Team.
The workers claimed that they have been constantly abused on the job by officials of company’s management at it relates to doing overtime works without any compensation to them.
The workers also called for increment of their salaries. They are also calling for other benefits from the company.
However, according to the aggrieved protestors, Aqua Life Management refused to comply with their quest.
They also complained that the Management of the company regularly sacks its employees in gross violation of Labor laws of the country.
The workers also complained to the Labor Ministry that they experience acts of humiliation and indignity from officials of the company as they are often treated with scorns in the performance of their respective duties.
The spokesman of the protesting workers, William Kengo, revealed that people who are hire daily are paid L$850 per day, while contractors are paid US$140 per month.
He explained that company is currently indebted to the workers for several months now, thus making it almost impossible for the workers to cater to the wellbeing of their respective families including payment of their children’s school fees as well as meeting their basic health needs.
Kengo explained that their purpose of the protest was to also call on the Labor Ministry to put mechanisms in place aimed at the employment of the daily hirers and contractors.
He added that every work and payment with the company is not documented, something which he said, serves as no guarantee of securing employment.
He challenged the UP administration not to follow those steps of the past governments when previous state officials used to visit the company and make promises on behalf of the company’s Management to the workers without fulfilling them.
Charles Brown, an official of the Liberian Government, who yesterday went to the company’s head offices during the workers’ protest called on the workers to go back to their jobs.
Charles Brown who is the Inspector General of the Ministry of Labor said Labor Ministry will look into the workers’ grievances aimed at making informed decision.
He told the workers that the labor Ministry will never allow its decision on the matter to be a product of bribery, as of the aggrieved workers may think.
He assured the aggrieved workers that Aqua Life administration will pay all the wages it owes the workers. He said any violation of the rights of workers will be handled and the company will fully comply with the labor laws of the country.
He added that the improvement of the country’s labor sector remains a priority for President Joseph Boakai led Administration.
Aqua Life Management never commented on the workers’ protest and the assertions by the Labor Ministry official.
