The Inquirer (Monrovia)
Heston M. Jackson, II
4 September 2008
The Minister of Labour, Atty. Samuel Kofi Woods, has admonished some workers and apprentices that his ministry would work closely with employees and employers to ensure that there is co-existence in a good working environment.
He spoke when he subsequently visited and toured sites of the International Aluminum Factory (IAF), National Paint Industries, City Builders and the Royal Hotel.
His visit was held under the theme "Corporate Social Responsibilities and Decent Work Practices" under his ministry's apprentice program.
Commenting, he noted that his ministry would take into considerations all of the plights of workers and apprentice's across the country.
He also noted that there are problems and there will always be problems, but for him there is a reason for which he (Minister Woods) along with his delegation took on the touring of facilities.
The Labour boss promised all of the workers and apprentices that his ministry will intermittently visit these facilities and other work facilities so as to check on the working conditions existing between employers and employees.
He noted that his ministry is also doing all in its powers to ensure that Liberians be placed in senior managerial positions so as to curtail the habit of placing aliens into these key positions which Liberians themselves are competent of holding.
Making statements, the workers through their spokespersons, Orando Momo, of the filling department of the paint industries and Augustine W. Quiah, Secretary of IAF both subsequently presented to the minister plights facing workers at various sites of the tour.
They said if there are amicable solutions reached aimed at addressing these issues, it would be appropriate for the ministry in alleviating some of the many sufferings that they are faced with.
They noted that many at times they are being visited by inspectors, but it was their first time seeing a minister who has promised to work in their favor.
In their plights presented to the minister, they noted that they are being paid only LD $135.00 daily, and that they don't have any wages and also noted that there is no lunch given them, and that they have to work for nine hours on a daily basis.
They also appealed to Minister Woods to work closely with them so as to address all of their problems in bringing good working relations with their management.
For his part Mr. Izzat Eid, founder and owner of all of the sites on the minister's tour, noted that it was expedient that the plights of the workers were stated.
Adding, he noted that it is clear that under all of his corporations there are freedom of expression and all other works practised, as the workers were free to express them-selves.
He also noted that they are greatly working cooperatively with the ministry to ensure all good working ethics.
Lamenting further he noted that just last week about twenty-nine to thirty apprentices graduated and were certificated under his corporation through the Ministry of Labor Apprentice Program (MOLAP). He stated further that he spends over US $45,000 to $60,000 for training under the apprentice program just within every six months.
dditionally, he said that he is encouraged by this program that it will help the larger younger population in establishing themselves, so as to move away from the system of serving in these positions and not being able to benefit anything.
He also noted that these youngsters under the program would be able to benefit in establishing their own business and ended that not many business persons are engaged in what he and the ministry are into under the said program.
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