By: Zainab Sunkary Koroma
In June 2024, workers at Koidu Holdings raised serious concerns about long-standing injustices ranging from poor salary exchange rates, excessive working hours, lack of proper toilet facilities, to unsafe drinking water. Despite multiple interventions by the Koidu United Mines Workers Union and the Sierra Leonean government to resolve the issues peacefully, no improvement was made. Instead, nearly 1,000 Sierra Leonean workers many with over a decade or two of service were laid off without prior notice.
These layoffs devastated communities across the Kono District, where families relied heavily on income from mining jobs. For many, the job loss was not just financial, it symbolized the shattering of dreams and the collapse of livelihoods built over years of dedication and labor.
Koidu Holdings Limited, a key player in Sierra Leone’s diamond industry since the post-war era, has been a symbol of both opportunity and exploitation. Beneath the glamour of diamonds lies a grim reality. Workers subjected to unsafe, unfair, and often dehumanizing conditions.
Numerous laid-off employees bear the physical and emotional scars of their service many with permanent injuries from years in hazardous environments. Yet, these individuals have received neither proper medical care nor their legally mandated benefits.
Section 80 of the Employment Act, 2023 clearly states “A worker who has served the same employer continuously for a period of one year or more and whose services are terminated for reasons other than gross misconduct shall be entitled to severance pay or end-of-service benefit.” Up until now, this law has not been upheld for the dismissed of Koidu Holdings employees.
Osman Bucklin Shaw, Assistant Project Manager, who had already worked for Koidu Holdings for 21 years. In 2010, a workplace accident left him with amputated toes. He received neither medical insurance nor compensation. He was forced to return to work due to financial hardship, which he described the experience as “punishment.” “Working for Koidu Holdings was suffering. We had to protest just to be treated like humans,” he said.
Despite contractual terms stipulating an 8-hour workday and salary payments based on dollar exchange rates, these provisions were never honored. Today, Osman remains unemployed and unable to pay his children’s school fees. Due to his injury, he cannot wear safety boots for long, to say the least, this has disqualified him from most physical labor. “I am at home now with no hope, no job, and no benefit paid to start a business,” he added.
Sahr Opel Sumana, a former drifting assistant with 14 years of service, is now permanently disabled after a serious accident stroke him. He had to travel to Ghana for a life-saving operation funded by Koidu Holdings and with the by his union and family. After his return, the company gave him only 12,000 new Leones, an amount he says does not begin to cover his pain or debts. “If I had known that was my compensation, I wouldn’t have accepted it,” Sumana lamented.
He was later reassigned as an entry officer underground, but the working conditions remained appalling, with no safety measures in place. Since his layoff, his life has become unbearable. “Even feeding my wife and kids is a problem. Sometimes, I ask my wife to take the kids away because I don’t want them to see me cry in pain,” he shared.
Grace Finda Vincent, Public Relations Officer of the Aggrieved Wives Association, expressed her dissatisfaction over the company’s actions. With tears in her eyes, she recalled the death of a paralyzed worker and scanner who was laid off without support. “Some of us have become widows, others are leaving their husbands due to hardship,” she said. In her view all they ever asked for was better working conditions and not to be treated inhumanly.
The wives demand immediate compensation for injured and deceased husbands and the payment of all of their outstanding benefits. Charles Kenesie, President of the Koidu Workers Union, mentioned that the issues stem from a bad agreement made by the previous union leadership in 2016, an agreement unknown to the workers at the time.
Despite interventions from the Minister of Labor, police, and even Sierra Leone’s First Lady Dr. Fatima Bio, the company remained defiant to all their needs. He emphasized that the administration of Koidu Holdings behaves like a “republic within the Republic.”
He said they told them that since they pay their taxes and above the minimum wage, the government cannot tell them what to do,” Kenesie revealed. Following peaceful protests, the company shut down operations for “care and maintenance,” began removing equipment, and laid off staff without compensation.
Rahman Swaray, Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security, confirmed that every employer is legally required to set up an end-of-service or gratuity benefits account, per Section 25 of the Employment Act, 2023. “Had Koidu Holdings complied, funds would have been available to pay the workers,” he said.
The Minister also condemned the company’s failure to report accidents and injuries to the Ministry of Labor, as legally required. He emphasized ongoing efforts to replace outdated safety laws and educate workers on their rights.
Brima Kanu, Executive Secretary and Civil Society Activist, highlighted the dire economic and emotional impact on the Kono community “This wasn’t what we expected. The mine’s closure has affected livelihoods and local businesses. We are now seeing the ripple effects.”
Emmanuel Michael Tommy Gbondo Esq, a legal expert in land and mining rights, stressed that many mining contracts lack transparency and community consultation. He urged for national ownership of mining operations “Foreign investors are here for profit not to solve our social problems. But until we can manage our own resources, we remain dependent on companies like Koidu Holdings.”
While the legal battle continues, Koidu Holdings claims the layoffs were due to an “unlawful act” by workers that cost the company millions. However, the core question remains is fighting for legally guaranteed labor rights an unlawful act?
However, the mass layoffs at Koidu Holdings have left a deep scar on the people of Kono. Deaths of 12 workers was reported by the Union, broken families, permanent injuries, and rising unemployment are just some of the consequences. The company’s refusal to pay severance and benefits is not just a breach of contract it is a humanitarian crisis.
“This investigation was supported by BBC Media Action and funded by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-funded by the European Union (EU).”
