Labour Minister Cooper Kruah, aa lawyer by profession, has described the ongoing strike action by workers of AFCON as ‘illegal.’
AFCON is a subcontractor of ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML).
Henceforth, Kruah has called on the aggrieved workers to return to work while pursuing “lawful channels to address their grievances.”
On Thursday, February 5, 2026, former AFCON workers staged a strike action at the company’s premises, demanding end-of-project payments, hardship allowances and other benefits.
Minister Kruah expressed the Ministry’s concern over the workers’ actions.
He said, while workers have the right to express grievances, such concerns must be presented in an orderly and lawful manner, particularly where claims require proper documentation and investigation.
Kruah meanwhile, encouraged the affected workers to formally document their complaints, and file them with the Office of the Labour Commissioner in the respective county for proper hearing and investigation.
He said if the claims are found to be legitimate, the Ministry will mandate management to address, and settle the benefits accordingly.
However, Mr. Kruah said the Ministry cannot compel any company to make payments without first establishing the facts.
He further stated that since the majority of the aggrieved workers were contract employees, the Ministry will review their contracts to determine whether any provisions were violated.
This process, he said, will guide the Ministry in making appropriate recommendations to management regarding possible settlements.
Kruah then called on all workers to remain peaceful, and urged those still employed to return to work and channel their concerns through their leadership in an orderly manner.
He also advised that all demands be formally submitted to the Office of the Labour Commissioner of Nimba County for investigation and resolution.
Mr. Kruah also cautioned that while the workers may have legitimate concerns, engaging in unauthorized strike actions could undermine their case.
He said, there are established legal procedures for declaring a strike, including providing prior notice to the Ministry of Labour, and allowing the Ministry an opportunity to intervene before any industrial action is undertaken.
Mr. Kruah has further encouraged the management of ArcelorMittal Liberia to consider providing permanent employment opportunities to some of the former AFCON workers, many of whom contributed to various construction activities for the company. He said, with AFCON nearing completion of its projects, AML could help ease tensions by absorbing qualified Liberian workers, in line with government’s commitment to promote employment opportunities for Liberians.