Leone Rock Metal Group Workers Strike Over Poor Conditions

Sierra Leonean workers at Leone Rock Metal Group, involved in iron ore mining, have embarked on a strike due to poor working conditions.

The workers, describing themselves as neglected employees, are urging their employers to improve services. They accuse Leone Rock Metal Group of mistreatment and neglect in their own country, despite repeated requests for better wages and conditions.

They highlight challenges such as lack of access to medical care, clean water, and adequate toilet facilities, along with low wages and unsafe working conditions at the mining sites in Peppel community, Port Loko District.

Momoh Kamara, a heavy-duty operator, stated he receives One Million Five Hundred Thousand Old Leones (Le1.5M) monthly, while other laborers earn One Million Leones (Le1M). They expressed frustration at being mistreated by foreigners in their own country, despite their expertise in training Chinese nationals on heavy vehicle operations such as cranes and bulldozers.

The government has initiated talks with Leone Rock management to address the workers’ concerns. However, the workers rejected a government request to return to work until a satisfactory resolution is reached. They also criticized discrepancies in their pay slips, where deductions for National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) were not reflected as expected.

In response to the workers’ grievances, Minister of Labour and Social Security Mohammed Rahman Swaray clarified that the government has not disregarded their concerns, despite their refusal to return to work pending a resolution.”