MONROVIA, LIBERIA-Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) and its Workers have opened a collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to improve social dialogue and labor harmony.

The Workers of GVL are represented on the negotiating table by the Agricultural Agro-Processing and Industrial Workers Union of Liberia (AAIWUL).

At the opening program, an Executive member of the Liberia Labor Congress (LLC), Dave Sneh, called on various parties, especially the management, to uphold the outcome of the negotiation process.

Mr. Sneh noted that in most instances, the management reneged to fully implement decision reached in the CBA.

GVL Vice President, Elvis Morris, emphasized the importance of workers and management pursuing dialogue in seeking redress to whatsoever grievances may arise at the workplace.

Mr. Morris encouraged the GVL workers to stop taking the Union’s matter to court and traditional leaders, who, in most cases, unleashed Country Devil to disrupt the Company’s operations.

At the same time, a Trade Union Executives have identified Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) as a key instrument in peacefully resolving labor-based issues at workplaces.

The Secretary General of the Agricultural Agro-Processing Industrial Workers Union of Liberia, Edwin Cisco, said the issues of wage, salary, housing and production at the workplace can only be addressed through Collective Bargaining.

Mr. Cisco noted that it is at the bargaining table both workers and management can dialogue on all labor related issues.

Also speaking, the President of the Agricultural Agro-Processing and Industrial Workers Union of Liberia (AAIWUL), Abraham Nimene, says the amendment of chapter 37.1 of the Decent Work Act undermines the labor sector of the Country.

Chapter 37.1 of the Decent Work Act empowers the establishment of a National Union to serve as Bargaining Representative for the Workplace Union.

But, the latest amendment made by the House of Representatives remove such responsibility from the National Union and empower the Workplace Union to bargaining for itself.

Speaking Thursday, December 29, 2021, in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County,  at the opening of a CBA between GVL Management and its Workforce, Mr. Nimene said amending chapter 37.1 amounts putting Liberian workers at the mercy of the management.

He noted that reason for the National Union to represent the interest of the workplace union is to reduce threats face by workers while directly bargaining with their management.

Mr. Nimene said:” Liberian workers are gearing up to convene a peaceful assembly at the Legislature, as soon the Lawmakers resume session, to call on the Senate not to concur with the House of Representatives on the amendment of chapter 37.1 of the Decent Work Act of 2015.”