NIMBA COUNTY — Workers of Afcons Infrastructure Limited, a subcontractor to ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML), went on strike on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Tokadeh mining site, demanding payment of outstanding benefits and entitlements following the completion of the US$1.4-billion Concentrator Plant. The protest comes just days after the Legislature ratified the new ArcelorMittal Mineral Development Agreement, raising expectations for improved labor practices.
The aggrieved workers accuse Afcons of failing to honor contractual obligations, despite completing critical components of the Tokadeh expansion, a project central to increasing Liberia’s iron ore output. According to the workers, repeated appeals to management went unanswered, with no clear timeline for settlement, prompting the strike action.
“The management has ignored repeated requests for the settlement of our benefits,” one worker told journalists. “We worked hard to complete the project, yet we are still waiting for what is rightfully ours. The law should protect workers like us, and the new Mineral Development Agreement should guarantee these rights.”
The strike underscores ongoing concerns about accountability in Liberia’s mining sector, particularly for subcontracted laborers. Observers note that subcontracted workers often bear the brunt of operational and management failures, leaving them vulnerable even as multinational companies secure large-scale agreements with the government.
Minister of Labour, Cllr. Cooper Kruah, described the strike as illegal, urging workers to return to their posts while pursuing grievances through lawful channels. “Workers have the right to express their concerns, but actions must be orderly and compliant with established procedures,” Minister Kruah said during a brief statement.
The Labour Minister emphasized that complaints must be documented and submitted to the Office of the Labour Commissioner in Nimba County for formal investigation. “If the complaints are legitimate, the Ministry will direct management to settle the outstanding benefits accordingly. We cannot compel payment without first establishing the facts,” he explained.
Minister Kruah noted that most of the striking employees were contract workers. The Ministry will review their contracts to determine if any provisions were violated, a process that will guide recommendations to management regarding potential settlements.
He cautioned that unauthorized strike actions could weaken the workers’ claims. The Minister outlined legal procedures for declaring industrial action, including prior notice to the Ministry of Labour and giving the Ministry an opportunity to intervene before any protest is undertaken.
At the same time, Minister Kruah encouraged ArcelorMittal Liberia to consider offering permanent employment to former Afcons workers who contributed significantly to the construction of the Tokadeh projects. Absorbing qualified Liberian workers, he said, could ease tensions while aligning with the government’s commitment to boosting local employment opportunities.
The strike highlights persistent labor challenges in Liberia’s mining sector. While workers press for immediate payment of outstanding benefits, the Ministry of Labour seeks to balance enforcement of labor laws, protection of contractual rights, and promotion of industrial peace, particularly as new agreements like the ArcelorMittal Mineral Development Agreement come into effect.
