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Koidu Limited, the operator of the Koidu Diamond Mine, has issued a statement regarding the recent industrial action led by the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Dr. Fatima Jabbie Bio, emphasizing their commitment to safety and community engagement.
The company stated that the welfare of its employees and the surrounding community is their top priority. Koidu reiterated a strict policy against violence and intimidation, confirming that the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) has pledged support through security forces to ensure safety during this time.
The industrial action, which Koidu describes as illegal under sections 64 and 67 of the Industrial Relations and Trade Union Act 2023, was initiated to address issues such as wage increases and the reinstatement of dismissed workers. In response, Koidu expressed its readiness to negotiate directly with employees to resolve those concerns, but only if the strike is called off and workers can safely return to the mine.
The company warned that ongoing protests and incitement to violence could lead to the withdrawal of all staff from the mine, which they say would halt operations and pose a serious threat to the mine’s future.
Koidu also conveyed its efforts to engage with various government officials, including the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, and even President Julius Bio, to discuss the workers’ grievances. They outlined plans to review salaries and introduce a diamond price-based bonus scheme, which could be implemented as soon as a mutual agreement is reached.
Furthermore, Koidu firmly rejected allegations of corruption, insisting that all diamonds mined are accounted for and monitored under government guidelines.
As Koidu Limited strives for a resolution, they aimed to continue their longstanding commitment to the sustainability of the mine and the diamond industry in Sierra Leone. The company has planned to release additional information on their initiatives in the near future.
