House Launches High-Stakes Probe into AFCON Labor Crisis in Nimba

MONROVIA, LIBERIA: The House of Representatives of Liberia has ordered an urgent investigation into alleged labor abuses involving AFCON, a subcontractor operating under ArcelorMittal in Nimba County, signaling growing national concern over workers’ rights and industrial stability.

The decision mandates the Joint Committee on Labor, National Security, and Judiciary to immediately probe the situation, following what lawmakers described as “serious and troubling allegations” that have already sparked unrest among workers in the concession area.

The action was triggered by a formal communication from Nimba County lawmakers, Representative Nyan G. Flomo and Representative Nehker E. Gaye, who warned Plenary of “mounting frustration and grievances” among employees linked to AFCON’s labor practices.

According to the lawmakers, the situation reached a boiling point on February 18, 2025, when aggrieved workers staged a protest that escalated into a tense standoff, prompting intervention by the Liberia National Police to restore calm. “This is not just a labor issue—it is a matter of public order and human dignity,” one lawmaker stressed.

Representatives Flomo and Gaye emphasized that while concession operations remain critical to Liberia’s economy, “economic growth must never come at the expense of fairness, legality, and the basic rights of our people.”

They further underscored that all companies operating within Liberia’s borders are bound by national labor laws, warning that “no entity, regardless of its size or influence, is above the law.”

Plenary has now summoned the Ministry of Labour Liberia to provide a full account of the situation, including the specific allegations against AFCON, findings from any ongoing or completed investigations, and the company’s compliance with existing labor regulations.

Lawmakers are also demanding clarity on the events surrounding the workers’ protest and the subsequent police intervention, as well as immediate and long-term measures to address worker grievances and prevent further unrest. “We expect decisive actions that will not only resolve this crisis but also prevent its recurrence,” the House emphasized.

In addition, the Ministry is expected to outline concrete steps to strengthen oversight and enforcement mechanisms across concession areas nationwide.

The Legislature warned that failure to act swiftly could undermine public trust and threaten industrial peace, declaring that “the protection of workers’ rights and the preservation of national stability are non-negotiable priorities.”