GVL justifies firing of 237 Numapoe citizens

The management of Golden Veroleum Liberia operating in Sinoe County has given reasons for the dismissal of over 237 citizens of Numapoe in Sinoe County. The company said it had initially hired the services of 400 residents, including young men and women from Numapoe, relying on the labor law of Liberia which states that the employer has the right to employ and dismiss, but in so doing, shall pay all legitimate benefits to the affected workers.

According to GVL officials, when the company started operating in the county, it employed some citizens of Numapoe after acquiring a hectare of land from the town. GVL Principal Technical Advisor and Vice President for Sustainability Mr. Andrew Kluth said after acquiring the parcel of land from the citizens, the company decided to employ more people from the area to work but later realized that the number of employees was more than the level of work.

Mr. Kluth said in order to not to waste their time because of lack of work to do at the GVL farm in Numapoe, management decided to lay-off 237 individuals after realizing that it was hiring more people without having sufficient land to plant palm seeding.

The company’s clarification comes in the wake of alleged claim by citizens of Butaw that the GVL was carrying on more employment in Numapoe. Mr. Kluth said the company intended hiring citizens from Butaw District but was unable due to disinformation in certain quarters in the county that GVL would take all of the land owned by the citizens, which turned out to be unfounded.
He disclosed that GVL would employ citizens of Butaw when the comprehensive social development agreement is officially signed with the provision of more land acquired for palm planting.

By Emmanuel Mondaye-Editing by Jonathan Browne