MONROVIA, LIBERIA-Calm has returned to China Union Iron Ore Mining Company in Bong County after a week of standoff with the workers demanding better working conditions and fulfillment of the company’s Social Corporate Responsibility.

A resolution was signed between China Union and workers through a 14-count Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The Ministry of Mines and Energy release said as per the MoU, China Union agreed to allow jobs set aside for Liberians to be performed by them within a given period of one month, and provide training to enable Liberian workers to operate other specialized equipment and machines.

The company also agreed to grant other amenities to the workers, including hiring redundant workers, addressing issues of housing units for workers, reconditioning the Bong Mines Hospital, and giving workers access to the lone health facility at its central office.

The release further said that China Union will carry out a three-month assessment, along with the Ministries of Mines and Energy, Labor, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to identify locations for the installation of a hand pump for each affected community.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy noted that it is working alongside the Ministry of Labor to resolve issues resulting from protests or other forms of agitation.