December 10, 2021
By: James Kamara-Manneh
Information reaching this medium has revealed that Grafton spring Water Company situated at Grafton in the outskirts of Freetown has been sold to an unknown company. Few months ago, the management of the water company informed their staffs that they will issue them redundancy letters and pay all financial benefits accorded them.
However, this has not been the case as their delay has necessitated the protest of affected staff to block the main entrance of the company yesterday 9th December, 2021. Speaking with an affected staff, Mustapha Sankoh, a sub- steward said the managing director held meeting with all workers informing them about the folding up of the company and promised to issue them letter of redundancy. He highlighted excerpt of the letter stating that on the final day of work all staff should return all properties belonging to the company, and on the 30th October, 2021 all benefits would have been paid to them.
The situation worsen as on the 26th October, 2021, Sankoh said they received letter from Ministry of Labour informing them of another meeting to be held on the 30th October, and at the meeting other issues ensued to the annoyance of the aggrieved staffs. The main controversy was that the labor ministry asked them to write Letter of resignation before knowing what they will take home as benefit; but such wasn’t the initial agreement between them and their employers.
Since they left the Ministry, Sankoh said they have not been treated well and no cogent information about their welfare is been heard, he mentioned one Sinneh Bockarie, Secretary to the Commissioner, Industrial Unit who has served as hindrance to their pursuit.
He said due to the ill-treated they decided to make statements at the police, and stage a protest that until their demands are met their will be no take over nor work.
Speaking on the issue from management view, the Managing director, Melvin Lisk was connected who told this medium that he has nothing to say concerning the above issue other than the matter is in the hands of the labor ministry. Pushing him further with questions, he said their staff demands will be settle soonest.
Attached is a copy of the redundancy letter.