By CBJSL Mento and D-Lion
Workers at Koidu Limited Mining Company in Kono District, Eastern Sierra Leone had extended gratefulness to the management over their adherence to workers welfare, health and safety.
In two separate engagements, the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Abdulrahman Swaray, interacted with employees and company administrations on workers condition of services and how they were responding to challenges faced at Ferengbeyah in Tonkolili District, Northern Sierra Leone.
In a nutshell, Koidu Limited employees were highly impressed with Minister Swaray for speaking with all their minds that they were satisfied with the management of Koidu Limited with regards fulfilment of their contdition of services.
The committed workers encouraged the management of Koidu Limited for improvement in terms of trainings and mobility, and pledged their firm commitment to continue working with Koidu Limited as long as the company continues to obey their responsibilities as mandated by law.
On the other hand, staff at Leone Rock Mining Company highlighted assault, discrimination, racism, disrespect and intimidation by foreign nationals, poor conditions of services and huge salary disparity.
In his response, the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Mohammed Abdulrahman Swaray, noted with kin interests, concerns and carefully made his presentation to companies’ managements. The Minister informed his audience that “When I return to base, we are going to send an improvement notice to those employers,” adding that the notice wouldn’t only lay emphasis on the areas where improvement is needed, but will also be looking at the portions of the law which employers had fractured”.
Minister Swaray frankly stated that all what had been planned to fight for the rights and obligations of workers would be done, noting that his Ministry would make sure that every piece of the law is respected and the dignity, respectability of Sierra Leonean employees are upheld by all means, as per law in enhancing the spirit of decent work.
Swaray stressed that workers who vented out their concerns were protected by law and shouldn’t be intimidated.
The learned Labor Minster, Swaray, intimated this press that there were lots of ongoing investigatigations across the country with regards the topic under discussion, adding that a team of investigators are currently at Rutile Mining Company in connection with the fatality reported.
Mr. Swaray continued that a team of investigators had also been sent to Leone Rock to probe a couple of incidents, which might have been reported under occupational safety and health.
The Labor Minster assured that a team of investigatigators will leave to Kono District next week to not only do risk assessments, but to also establish a risk profile of some loopholes and put mechanisms in place.
Moreover, administrators of the mentioned mining companies assured the Minister and entourage that they would look into concerns raised in consonant with workers, to find an amicable solution on the public interest matter for the satisfaction of government, employees and for the progress of the reviewed mining companies.