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Sierra Leonean employees at the Lebanese International School in Freetown have raised serious concerns about alleged discrimination and harsh treatment at the hands of the school administration.
The workers claim they are enduring low wages, lack of benefits, and unequal treatment compared to their Lebanese counterparts.
In interviews with Concord Times, several aggrieved staff members shared their frustrations, accusing the school of violating their rights by denying them terminal benefits, leave allowances, and access to medical facilities. According to the employees, the unfair treatment has persisted for years, forcing many to resign in frustration.
“We are going through hell at the school, while our Lebanese counterparts enjoy better conditions. I have worked here for sixteen years, but when I tendered my resignation, I received no terminal benefit and was only met with excuses,” one of the employees lamented.
The workers expressed anger over the school’s failure to provide legally mandated compensation and benefits, calling for urgent intervention from the authorities.
“We are being treated like slaves,” they said, urging relevant bodies to address the situation before more workers suffer in silence.
Responding to the allegations, the Lebanese International School administration acknowledged that they do not provide terminal benefits but argued that their annual bonuses serve the same purpose. The administration claimed that all employees are on one-year renewable contracts, in compliance with Sierra Leone’s labor laws.
The issue of workers’ rights has stirred growing concern in the country, with employees at the Lebanese International School joining the ranks of those calling for fair and humane treatment.
Labor authorities have yet to comment on the issue, but the employees remain hopeful that justice will prevail.
It’s complete madness, because they don’t want to give them benefits that why they only bring to them one year contract for them not to be permanent workers, because of the hardship if the country and the unavailability of well paid job prompted our brothers to accept the terms and conditions of the nonsense Lebanese people. God will one give this country a labour minister who will put the interest of Sierra Leoneans above all else limited parochialism.