Firestone Liberia's attention has been drawn to a banner headline captioned "BAD LABOUR PRACTICES AT FIRESTONE" Firestone Tappers cast blame on GOL in the Monday, January 21, 2013 edition of the Liberia Journal Newspaper.

The Management of Firestone Liberia wishes to inform the public that the issues raised in the story are false and misleading. Firestone Liberia employees are represented by a union; working conditions and wages are the result of a collective bargaining process freely entered into by both parties and which presents circumstances over and above the minimum requirement of the law. All Tappers performing additional tasks, receives additional pay, according to the law.

A release issued by Firestone Liberia notes that employees also receive variety of benefits for themselves and their families, including free housing, free medical care, free education for their children, subsidized rice, paid vacation and pension upon retirement that are ranked highest in the Country. More than 3,500 homes have been built or renovated and additional ones are under construction. In addition, Firestone Liberia's lowest paid employees are among the highest paid agricultural workers in the country.

Concluding, this allegation is a misconception that is engulfed with an unfair characterization and also a clever attempt to smear the good image of this corporate body. Firestone Liberia will continue to adhere to the rule of law and the labor laws of the Republic of Liberia.