Grand Bassa Superintendent Blasts AFCONS Amid Increasing Allegations of Bad Labor Practices

Buchanan, Grand Bassa County: In a scathing critique of allegations of severe bad labor practices, Grand Bassa County Superintendent Karyou Johnson has publicly condemned the Human Resources Department of AFCONS Infrastructure Limited, calling them "lazy" and negligent in their duties. 

This fierce rebuke follows ongoing complaints from contractors in the county over labor practices and poor contract management by the company, a major contractor for ArcelorMittal Liberia.

Superintendent Johnson voiced concerns about the HR department's failure to properly vet contracts, highlighting serious omissions such as the absence of contractors' social security numbers from payrolls.

Johnson attributes this oversight to both AFCONS and the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP), which he claims has prevented workers from accessing their rightful benefits.

The superintendent's comments come on the heels of previous labor issues involving AFCONS, including a 2024 incident where the Ministry of Labor discovered 310 foreign workers operating in Yekepa, Nimba County, without valid work permits, resulting in fines exceeding US$930,000.

Additionally, in December 2024, the ministry again denied work permits to 44 expatriates, citing AFCONS' failure to prioritize Liberian employees for job openings.

With these controversies mounting, Superintendent Johnson has called for urgent reforms in AFCONS’ HR department and other concessionaires operating in the region, urging them to prioritize the welfare of their employees and contractors and ensure that fair labor practices are consistently enforced.