House Cites Firestone, Labor Minister, Others

The constant refusal of Firestone Liberia to live up to its concession agreement has claimed the attention of Margibi County District #2 Representatives Iva K Jone.

Rep. Jones on Tuesday, October 27, during the fifth day’s sitting of the third quarter of the third session of the 55^th Legislature, communicated to the plenary, craved their indulgence to invite Firestone Liberia, the Minister of Labor, Cooper Kruah, and the Director General of National Bureau of Concession, Henson Karzulu, to appear before them to give the reason why Firestone Liberia Incorporated has deliberately violated Sections 9, 10.1, and 8.5 of“ an Act that ratified the amended and restated concession agreement between Liberia and Firestone Liberia Incorporated,” approved March 31, 2008.

The Section 9 states: “Firestone Liberia shall ensure the availability in Liberia of medical treatment, care and attention in accordance with law, and such other standards as may be agreed between the Parties.”

Rep. Jones said, such treatment, care and attention should be free of charge for the employees, and their dependents as long as each dependent is properly registered with Firestone Liberia.”

He said, Section 10.1 also states in parts: “Education for employees’ dependents – Firestone Liberia will ensure the availability in Liberia, free of charge, of education, including junior high and high school education, for each person, who is registered with Firestone Liberia as dependent child of an employee, in conformity with law, rules, regulations and standards generally applicable to schools in Liberia established the government, and in the same manner, and under the same conditions as Firestone Liberia is providing such education at the effective date.” Section 8.5 also states in parts: “Firestone Liberia shall provide one house for each employee entitled to housing by the end of the rehabilitation term in 2015.”

As indicated, Jones continues, in the sections above, Firestone Liberia is obligated to provide free of charge medical care, free of charge education, and housing opportunities to the employees, and their dependents, respectively.”

He said, Firestone Liberia has engaged in outsourcing divisions, and departments which serve as cornerstone to the company’s operations.

He further said, Firestone Liberia action to close divisions, and departments is not because of low productive; but a deliberate intent to redundant and rehire the same individuals as indirect employees  under a Firestone Liberia supervised contractors without benefits. Jones added that such action has not only deprived the hired outsourced divisions, and departments contractors their rights enshrined in the Concession Agreement, but a deliberate intent to deprive employees of the hired outsourced divisions and departments the right to National Social Security and Welfare pension program.

“In view thereof, I pray that Firestone Liberia Incorporated, the Minister of Labor and the Director General of the National Bureau of Concession appear before Plenary to state reason of the deliberate violation of Sections 9, 10.1, and 8.5.