Koidu Holdings Limited, a leading diamond mining company in Sierra Leone, has dismissed over 900 employees for what the company describes as “gross misconduct” and “participation in an illegal strike action,” effective 3rd March 2025.
In official termination letters issued to affected workers, the company stated that the employees were summarily dismissed without notice after repeatedly refusing to comply with requests from both the company and the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security (MELSS) to end their industrial action and return to work.
The company claims that the strike, which began at 11:00 p.m. on 3rd March 2025, violated the Industrial Relations and Trade Union Act 2023. Specifically, the workers are said to have failed to give the required 21-day written notice through a registered trade union with a valid bargaining certificate. Koidu Holdings asserts that this non-compliance rendered the strike illegal under sections 64 and 67 of the Act.
According to the company, the prolonged absence of employees many of whom had been off work for more than 10 consecutive days without authorization forced the mining operation into a state of “care and maintenance,” severely impacting its ability to operate.
“In line with our Contract of Employment and Staff Handbook, as well as the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 2022–2025, this level of absenteeism and disregard for lawful directives constitutes a serious breach of discipline,” the termination letter stated.
Koidu Holdings emphasized that efforts were made to resolve the situation amicably, including public appeals and joint statements with MELSS on March 12 and March 20 urging employees to return to work. The company had proposed a 48-hour negotiation window to address the workers’ concerns an offer it claims was ignored.
The company further stated that neither the so-called ‘Koidu Workers Union’ nor First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, who reportedly intervened on behalf of the workers, were legally recognized parties to the Collective Bargaining Agreement and thus could not lawfully represent employees in negotiations.
Under the terms of the Employment Act 2023 and internal policy, dismissed employees are not entitled to end-of-service benefits or any other compensation. Koidu Holdings has warned it may pursue legal action against individuals deemed responsible for losses incurred during the strike.
Employees have been instructed to return all company property within seven days and informed of their right to respond or challenge the dismissal under the Code of Practice on Discipline provided in the Employment Act 2023.
The mass termination has sparked concern among labor rights observers and community leaders, with calls for further dialogue and government mediation expected in the coming days.
They will spoiled your work for their own selfish interest,after that they’ll not do anything for the dismissed workers