The National Chairman of the All-Retired Citizens Association of Liberia (ARCAL), Rev. KafaTeah, has voiced out strong frustration against the Management of the Firestone Rubber Plantation Company for their alleged failure to settle former employees of the company who have not received their benefits since they were retired almost nine years ago.
He described the almost nine years of neglect and mistreatment of retirees by successive Liberian governments.
Rev. Teah said senior citizens devoted their productive years to serve the Firestone Rubber Plantation Company but are now struggling to live with dignity, a situation he described as unbearable and unjust.
“Despite the sacrifices we’ve made for this country, we have not received the decent living we deserve from those we once considered our national leaders,” Rev. Teah lamented.
Speaking over the weekend in Kakata, he cited irregular and poor salary and pension payments as a significant hardship for retirees, especially amid Liberia’s continuing economic difficulties.
Rev. Teah further urged retirees across the country to unite under ARCAL and support the association’s mission to advocate for their collective rights.
He noted that they will do everything to have a face-to-face meeting with the FIRESTONE Management to chart a way forward to address the longstanding challenges confronting Firestone retirees.
He expressed confidence that direct engagement with the Firestone Management would help unlock solutions to issues that have persisted for years without meaningful redress.
“We are calling on all retirees to join the struggle to right the wrongs and ensure that we receive our just benefits from the Government of Liberia without any precondition,” he said.
He emphasized that ARCAL remains committed to fighting for equal opportunities and fair treatment for all retired citizens, stressing that justice, equality, and peace must guide any resolution. “If we are to treat each other fairly under the doctrine of equal rights, we must act now,” Rev. Teah declared.