Grand Kru County, (March 12, 2019) – Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) is disappointed and greatly disturbed by the assertions of bad labor practices made by Representative Nathaniel M.  Bahway of District #1, Grand Kru County, to the House Plenary on March 7, 2019.

The complaint of Representative Bahway to the House Plenary lacks basic facts and includes inaccurate information to the detriment of GVL’s reputation.

As a responsible company, GVL operates in compliance with the Liberian laws and respects the rights of its employees and the local communities in which it is operating.

The company welcomes constructive criticism and takes seriously allegations of inappropriate behavior, or breaches of its policies, labor law or the Concession Agreement. The company is determined to work constructively and collaboratively with all stakeholders.

This is evidenced by the cordial working relationships GVL has established with its workers’ union, the local communities and the county leaderships of Grand Kru and Sinoe counties. The company is willing to resolve conflicts, labor grievances, and to deliver job opportunities, infrastructure, and livelihood benefits to communities in the Southeastern region.

Darius Doe, GVL Communications Officer in Grand Kru explained that, “Hon. Barway has not raised the allegations he made within the House Plenary with GVL management, nor have such complaints been raised during recent visits to our plantations in Grand Kru by Plenary. Hon. Togba Porte, Assistant Minister for Trade Union Affairs and Mr. Dominic Tweh, Assistant Director for Trade Union Division, and Ministry of Labor employees. It is alarming to GVL management that such allegations have not been brought directly to us, but rather aired in the House Plenary as if they are fact.”

Representative Bahway’s complaint to the House Plenary erroneously asserted that pregnant women at GVL are applying and handling chemicals leading to miscarriages. The company rejects such an allegation pointing to the fact that not a single case of miscarriage has been reported to its health facilities in the County.

The company also categorically rejects claims of wrongful dismissal of employees pointing out all dismissals are  carried out in line with GVL’s policies and the labor laws of Liberia; tasks for field workers are clearly defined in a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed with its workers’ union and are not excessive as wrongly claimed by the Honorable Representative