MSF Spain Defies Labor Ministry Ruling!

Investigation conducted by this paper has revealed that MSF Spain is about to leave Liberia without the payment of US$5,940.00 to one of its employees it laid-off.

Jeremiah Sorrie, who served as a Security guard of this International medical group from October 1st 2009 to August 15 2009, was laid-off, following an alleged burglary on August 10, 2009 in which some equipment, including a water pump machine, stabilizer and a scan were taken away.

However, in the wake of his dismissal, Sorrie filed a former complaint to Labor Minister; Tiawon Gongloe on August 19, 2009, who on 25th August subsequently transferred the matter to the legal arm of the Ministry.

According to a document containing the entire proceedings, a copy of which is in possession of this paper, the Ministry’s legal arm issued an official notice of assignment to both parties who appeared on the 7th September 2009 for a conference.

As a result of the deadlock which characterized the conference, the case was ruled to full scale investigation at a kwasa Court Constitutionally operating at the Ministry of Labor, which began hearing the case on October 16, 2009.

After nearly eight months of hearing, the Court rendered judgment in favor of the dismissed MSF employee, Jeremiah Sorrie.

“Predicated upon the finding supra, we therefore find Defendant/Management liable of Unfair Labor Practices perpetrated against the within Complainant culminating his wrongful dismissal and denial of complainant’s just entitlements. It is therefore ruled that the complainant be forthwith reinstated, with all benefits and entitlements appertaining to his status of employment or in lieu thereof, he be paid the aggregate of US$5,940.00(Five Thousand, Nine Hundred Forty United States Dollars).”

When contacted, Sorrie’s lawyer, Cllr. William Barclay confirmed all information about the matter, saying that the MSF-Spain had thirty days (up to early July) to address the court’s ruling.

An authority at MSF-Spain, Bhammika Perare, when contacted to confirm or deny, referred the New Dawn to the Head of Mission could neither confirm nor deny the information, but scheduled a meeting with this paper on June 23,2010 at his office, just a week to their departure from Liberia.

MSF- Spain has been working in Liberia since October 2003, rendering services to many Liberians in and around Monrovia immediately after the defunct LURD rebel attacks on Monrovia. Investigation continues.