By Musa Paul Feika
Opposition Member of Parliament, Hon. Aminata Sesay, representing Port Loko District has accused Chinese staff of the Leone Rock Mining Group (LRMG) at Pepel of subjecting Sierra Leonean workers to inhumane and discriminatory treatment, including the denial of toilet facilities, clean drinking water and equal meals compared to their Chinese counterparts.
Speaking in the Well of Parliament on Wednesday, 15th October 2025, during the debate on President Julius Maada Bio’s State Opening Address, Hon. Sesay commended the President’s commitment to youth empowerment but lamented that local workers continue to face harsh and degrading working conditions in some foreign-owned companies.
“Mr. Speaker, during my oversight visit to Leone Rock Mining Group, I received several complaints from workers about the lack of toilet facilities and clean drinking water. They told me that while the Chinese staffs have proper toilets and good meals, local workers are forced to use the bush to ease themselves,” she stated.
The lawmaker further alleged that after her oversight visit, the company threatened to dismiss about 500 workers who had spoken to her about the poor conditions.
“When I raised the issue, I was told the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gilbert Zhao, went around complaining about me to the parliamentary leadership,” Hon. Sesay disclosed.
She also made shocking revelations that some Chinese nationals reportedly filmed local women while they were easing themselves in the bush due to the lack of toilets, and mocked them in the process.
“When I spoke out, I was labeled a troublemaker just because I stood up for the dignity of our people,” she lamented.
Hon. Sesay told Parliament that despite several meetings involving the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the matter remains unresolved.
“We held discussions for three days with SLPP MPs and the Ministry of Labour and Employment, but we could not lay the matter to rest,” she said.
She further revealed that after the initial complaint, she received over 50 new reports from workers about similar cases of abuse and unsafe working conditions.
“There is even a young man whose three fingers were completely cut off. Instead of taking him to the nearest hospital, the company only gave him first aid and forced him to continue his shift,” she added.
In response, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, directed Hon. Sesay to submit a formal written complaint in order to institute further investigations into the allegation.
Hon. Sesay concluded her statement by urging lawmakers to ensure that foreign companies operating in Sierra Leone respect the rights and dignity of local workers.
“As long as the President has good intentions for the youth, we must ensure that these companies are not misusing our young people,” she emphasized, citing paragraph 111 of the President’s address, which highlights job creation and youth welfare.
Efforts by this medium to obtain a comment from the company’s Head of Public Relations, Mr. Peter, proved futile. Although he initially promised to respond, he later declined and instead issued a press release circulated across various social media platforms.