20 Comments
A renowned lawyer, Basita Michael, while criticizing government’s accountability, urged Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Dr. Fatima Bio, to step back and allow designated ministers to handle the ongoing issues between Koidu Limited and its workers.
Basita Michael’s comments came in light of serious allegations against Koidu Limited diamond mining company, including a history of exploitation and human rights violations.
Workers at Koidu Limited have protested against being paid in leones at an outdated exchange rate from 2016, despite the significant depreciation of the currency.
In a recent article, Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva and Ambassador to Switzerland, Lansana Gberie described this practice as “unconscionable” and “criminal.” Many citizens have pointed out that those issues stem from a poor contract signed by the government, which has allowed for weak oversight and low royalty rates.
Michael indicated that judges in Sierra Leone have faced similar issues regarding their salaries, which are pegged to an unrealistic exchange rate. She argued that if the First Lady finds Koidu’s payment practices objectionable, the government must also address its own shortcomings and compensate judges for years of underpayment.
For the government to credibly demand better practices from foreign companies, Michael criticized that it must first demonstrate a commitment to upholding the rights of its citizens.
She stressed that while Koidu Limited must be held accountable for its contractual breaches and human rights record, the First Lady should allow designated ministers to address those issues through appropriate legal and institutional channels. She urged the government to reflect on its own failures and ensure it prioritizes the rights of its citizens.
As mentioned by Basita Michael, Ambassador Gberie’s recent article underscores Koidu Limited’s failure to meet its commitments, including the undervaluation of diamonds for tax purposes and a lack of accountability for the deaths of two protesters in 2007. The government’s White Paper at the time deflected blame, raising questions about the effectiveness of oversight in such matters.
Michael emphasized a critical irony in the situation, noting that the government itself is guilty of similar failures. “Many government offices lack clean drinking water, and numerous communities also struggle to access this basic necessity.” Michael added.
First lady did not have any right to do what she did
Because you’re one of those unprogressive elements in society
She had EVERY right
What did she do that is wrong, sometimes it good we think critically and logically before we speak out.
The deal is simple, yes or no….. If yes, workers we work if no they will not work What is bad in that.
The living conditions of Koidu holding workers is very poor as compear to what they are having. One foreign expert salary can paid up to ten workers salary in that company what a wicked way of doing things, in our own land again…..
Why you say so?
Hatred and greed are the things that are disturbing country’s progress. If any Sierra Leonean stands on the way of the First Lady in fighting for the rights of the workers in this country, that person is a devil (like Basita Michael). To hell with you stance on this. The First Lady is doing the right thing. You go and fix up your naughty broken home before you try to tell to gov’t to improve government offices. What has that got to do with Foreign Companies doing the right thing for the citizens of this country? You people will not succeed in this country, In ShaAllah
Yes! Basically is a devil.
Not truly Sierra Leonean
Amen!
My question here is what give the mandate to the useless foreign investors to call the minister useless and to order chief minister to sacked the minister? There is a missing gap, mama Fatima Bio, you need to shine your eyes of some of this guys your husband employs.
This is SIERRA LEONE where the government is not accountable but want others to give account
Yes, they are foreigners. In their country you can’t try such.
We will later settle ourselves.
Lawyer Basita Michael is telling us citizens that nobody should stand for the poor Sierra Leoneans by way of protecting them from exploitation and Human Rights abuses by foreign investors like Koidu Limited; so sad.
Let Basit shut her mouth
Basita Michael is one of those horrible lawyers who trample on the rights of others in favour of her clients regardless of them being on the wrong side of the law. Karma will surely fall on you for your unscrupulous behaviors
I have seen it here.
She does not feel for the maltreated workers
Bastia is not advocating for the people of Sierra Leone. She was not listening and wants to jump to conclusions. We see through her rhetoric, we don’t buy in to what she is saying. Let her put down the spec of politics for once.
It’s been almost a year since these workers started negotiations, but Koidu Limited refused to listen. What actions did Basita take?
Bad lawyer
Sure!
Is because of the useless paramount chief and leaders we have there. They are all under the brown envelope fighting for their selfish interest, how can they now fight the interest of their people?
God will punish them all and their generations yet unborn. Amen.
First Lady has every right to do what she did when all the government officials stayed mute because they company has given all of them brown envelopes.
Basically shut up if you can’t help over 1,000 Sierra and their families against corporate abuse.
If you have any other issue with Fatima, take it on separately.
Tell Nas
The same happying here @ El dorado resources company in Nyandehun, sogbini chief dom bonthe district.
1.
2.No day off , 24 hours work
3. Some people have worked for over seven months and above without giving them permanent paper/ contact paper Low salary
My question to Basita is, are lawyers poor compare to those poor workers at koidu holdings?