By Ragan M. Conteh
The Coalition for Change (C4C) Member of Parliament, representing Constituency 027, Kono District, Hon. Saa Francis Bhendu has on Monday 24th February, 2020 frowned at Gold Tree Company for exhibiting disrespect to members of Parliament.
The C4C Mp noted that the company was formally invited by the Committee on Labour and Industrial Relations in Parliament to answer questions on allegations of unfair terminations of its employees, failure to pay NASSIT contributions and lack of adherence to government minimum wage, among many others.
Hon. Bhendu requested parliament to stand-down the meeting until the documents requested from the company by the committee are made available to the committee.
It will be recalled that the Committee on Labour and Industrial Relations has earlier on requested 17 copies each of various documents from the company.
In his submission, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Labour and Industrial Relations, Hon. Mohamed Billoh Shaw representing Constituency 039 stated that, Gold Tree Company officials have not taken the committee with the seriousness it deserve.
Hon. Shaw, further pointed out that Section 73 (2) to (5) of the constitution emphasizes the relevance of all Committees in Parliament adding that it has similar powers like those of the high court.
He continued that, the Committee requested list of employees, expatriate and proof of obligation, report of employee’s payment and salaries, evidence of job advert document, NASSIT contributions, and salary of casual workers and among others in which the company vehemently dishonor.
Hon. Shaw, however, with consultations from his colleagues Members of the Committee stood down the company until documents requested by the Committee are fully submitted to members on Wednesday 26th February 2020.
The MP noted that the Committee will again sit on Thursday 27th February 2020, with a view to question the company on various allegations ranging from maltreatment of workers, unfair termination, dishonoring tax obligations and many other human right related issues.
Hon. Momoh Bokarie representing Constituency 012 in his submission stated that, he has also received series of complaint of ill treatment of Sierra Leoneans workers in the company, unfair redundancy of workers and also the failure by the company to adhere to its CSR.
Gold Tree Company is located and operating near Daru in Kailahun District in the Eastern Province. Since 2007.
The company has succeeded in establishing a small plantation while also rebuilding an abandoned palm oil mill serving thousands of farming families.