MARGIBI COUNTY, LIBERIA – A large group of workers, mainly tappers, of the Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) on Thursday, June 27, 2024, staged a violent protest in response to the management’s refusal to mark them for five days they were absent during last week’s protest action. The protest, initially aimed at better working conditions, escalated into violence with severe consequences.
The unrest saw the house and car of the plantation manager, Sangeeth Sathyan, set ablaze in Weala. Protesters also pelted stones at the windows of other buildings, looted bags of rice, and caused significant damage to the senior staff housing quarters. Reports indicate that the SRC’s general manager and other top administrative staff were trapped in their homes for a period before being rescued by the company’s security team.
A heavy contingent of the Liberia National Police arrived at the scene to prevent further deterioration of the situation, but the protesters had already fled.
The protest followed last week’s indefinite strike by more than 500 tappers, including employees and contractors, who accused the management of exploiting workers and practicing bad labor policies. The striking workers claimed these issues had persisted for over three years without redress. They presented a 13-point document to the Salala Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia (SAWUL), demanding immediate renovation of the housing facilities, provision of proper medical treatment, and other improvements.
Among the workers’ grievances were delays in replacing dull or damaged tapping tools, lack of proper medical coverage, and the high cost of essential goods. They also called for better transportation for workers and their dependents, fair calculation of bonuses, and a reduction in target production quotas.
Negotiations between the SRC management and the workers’ union leadership initially led to an agreement to address six of the thirteen demands. However, the management’s refusal to pay workers for the five days they lost during the protest reignited tensions.
Sources allege that Plantation Manager Sangeeth Sathyan resisted the workers’ demand for payment despite advice from senior staff. This resistance was a key factor in the outbreak of violence.
Established in 1959, the Salala Rubber Corporation has supported local and rural development through various community projects. Despite the company’s efforts to enhance livelihoods and working conditions, the recent events highlight significant unresolved issues.
In response to the violence, police in Margibi County have arrested several individuals, including two females, in connection with the arson and looting. The Liberia National Police’s crime services division continues to investigate the incident.
