Over 1,800 former employees of the National Iron Ore Company of Liberia are calling on the government of Liberia to see reason to pay their severance benefits. In an interview with Journalists on 26 July 2013, the General Chairman of the former employees James T. Mafarlon said it is little over 28 years since the government of Liberia approved the suspension of the only Iron Ore Company in the Western Region, NIOC , and ordered the payment of all expatriates, but left out Liberian employees.

According to him, there were enough cash to pay all other employees, but the funding was requested by the Government of Liberia who has 85% share in the company and it was expensed for difference reason.

He said the government at the time only signed a public notice which was distributed among the workers that they could be paid upon getting an upfront payment from successor Company.

Chairman Mafarlon explained that in 2011 Western Cluster, a successor Company signed a mining agreement with GOL with an upfront payment of US$40.5M which was made available, noting that the signing ceremony gave employees the hope of receiving their benefit, but GOL is yet to fulfill her written promise to the 1,820 former employees.

The aggrieved workers noted that all intelligent and peaceful efforts in dialoging with the Government for the payment of the US$9.7M owed them almost seemed impossible.

He said they were not interested in pursuing violence to be part of the process as some members of the former workers are thinking to disrupt the operation of Western Cluster for GOL because of the relevant authority stubbornness to listen to their cry.

"We have people who work with the company from 1959 to 1985 when the company was ordered closed without paying severance and other benefits after wearing off their usefulness," he said.

According to him, the group is planning to mandate the GOL through the Ministry of Finance to settle their benefits legally owed in tone of US$ 9.7 million or to request Western Cluster paid said amount.

He expressed fear of working with any company again especially one in which government is participating because according to them have had long term experience with their old employer.

Those who signed on behave of were Charles K. Roberts General Secretary, John H. Markjohn Chairman NIOC Bomi Operation, Jengbai Seitua Chairman NIOC Mano Operation, NIOC-Monrovia Operation, Luther S. Kennedy project coordinator and approved by James T. Mafarion General Chairman.