Breakthrough at Bumbuma

Abdul Hassan Fakie

News reaching this paper late yesterday evening indicates that there has been a breakthrough in talks between the fact finding team that was sent by President Ernest Bai Koroma to find out the reasons for the upheaval that gripped the Bumbuna township early last week and the protesting workers of the African Minerals Company.

Our Correspondence on the ground said that after carefully looking at the issues raised by the aggrieved workers, Government sitting as Cabinet is reported to have accepted that the workers could form associations and a workers union to advocate on their behalf. He also stated that Government also agreed that there should be proper registration of the work force in the company.

He explained that Government acknowledged that African Minerals gives 12% leave allowance as against the Government stipulated 5 %. He also said that it was also highlighted that African Minerals pays way above the stipulated Government approved salaries.

He concluded that the African Minerals was highly praised for employing thousands of young people of this country while the team called on the community people to embrace the company as their own.

In subsequent issues we shall give you the details of the findings and recommendations for the way forward.