LEOCEM Sierra Leone Downplays Labour Rights of Workers

By Ralph Sesay
LEOCEM Sierra Leone Cement Corporation Limited has been accused of violating workers rights issues and several other NASSIT and other tax compliance related matters.
Several interviews conducted with sources within and outside the company have revealed that, most casual workers who have worked for the company for more years without permanent contracts as per the labour laws of the country.
Quite recently it is also reported that, an individual had died outside the perimeter fence of the company.The circumstances surrounding the death is still been investigated by the Sierra Leone Police.Police has obtained statements with security officers attached at Group 4 Security on the issue.
LEOCEM has not taken any moves to conduct an internal investigation into the issue even when it had occurred within their immediate surroundings.
Mohamed Jabbie, Marketing and Sales Manager, LEOCEM Sierra Leone while responding to the above rights issues against workers stated that, LEOCEM Sierra Leone has outsourced the employment of casual workers to MANPOWER AGENCY and that it is fully in charge of recruiting workers for LEOCEM.
He could not speak on the terms of the contract between his company and MANPOWER AGENCY but it is very clear both companies have not effectively adhered to the labour laws of the country by keeping workers on casual contracts for years.
LEOCEM Sierra Leone is very aware that this is happening but they seem to turn a blind eye against the excuse that MANPOWER AGENCY is in charge.
The Company has been in the spotlight especially in the mainstream media for not adhering to the regulations around the labour rights of the country.
The Sales and Marketing Manager acknowledged the fact that, they have been accused severally of these issues by the mainstream media and that are hugely concerned.
He also disclosed that they have been engaged on a number of times by the Ministry of Labour on these issues.
He committed his company’s desire to review the contract between them and MANPOWER AGENCY with a view to address these issues.
When and how this will happen LEOCEM has not stated but it is glaring that the company is downplaying the issue as they continue to shift the blame to MANPOWER AGENCY.
LEOCEM could not provide details of MANPOWER AGENCY who they say is responsible for recruiting workers on their behalf.
Mr.Jabbie says his company is an ISO certified company and that it is hugely complaint to the Environmental and other safety considerations as they relate to workers.
We will bring our readers more issues around this issue including a profile of the MANPOWER AGENCY which is been used as the conduit to perpetrate these violations against our youths.