Unpaid Wages Impact Sierra Leone Mine Workers

“The danger of the horse-banks are being laid off and there's no money. An industrial dispute, and what it says about the legacy of diamonds here in West Africa.”

“The anger was directed by families of mine workers towards Koydu Limited, the international firm that runs the Diamond concession. Suleiman Mansari is the secretary general of the Mine Workers Union.”

“an initial deal to resolve the industrial dispute was broken by management.”

“an initial deal to resolve the industrial dispute was broken by management. Because Koryu Limitia was not giving us water. They failed to do that. Started to dismiss people.”

“We came to an agreement that they would give us 30% a bag of rice for you every month and they would provide toilet facility for you.”

“So miners say the company was profiting thanks to the falling value of the Leone. Coidu Limited categorically denies this.”

“Koiidu mine workers do appear to have experienced a substantial pay cut in real terms. By early last year, the president's wife Fatima Bio had intervened.”

“CEO Dag Cramer says the first ladies intervention had had the effect of heightening tensions. He blames the government for not guaranteeing security.”

“And many of the staff on the mine, both local and expert, were petrified and we had never been in a situation that felt this threatening. And we ultimately, you know, had to evacuate from the mine site.”

“This paid worker at Coidu was paid three times the national minimum wage going into this. And the working conditions at Coidu, any person who has been there, visited, will confirm that the conditions were exceptionally good not only by Sierra Leonean standards, but by mining standards in Africa.”

“She was taking the mine workers side in what was becoming an increasingly vitriolic dispute. And for any job for 24 hours, it costs them millions.”

“He blames the government for not guaranteeing security. We spent the last... Koydoo hold me now they make money and for any day Koydoo hold me now work for 24 hours it costs them millions.”

“We spent the last... had to evacuate from the mine site. Regardless of us following our obligations and having given the government notice, we literally haven't heard a word from them. Zero.”

“had to evacuate from the mine site. Well, regardless of us following our obligations and having given the government notice, we literally haven't heard a word from them.”

“We had never been in a situation that felt this threatening. And we ultimately, you know, had to evacuate from the mine site.”

“CEO Dagh Kramer says the first lady's intervention had had the effect of heightening tensions. He blamed... A mass strike was called, and in May last year, Koydou limited suspended mining operations altogether”

“We would love to restart the mining operations, but we can only do that with the needed guarantees. Once you've been hijacked, pickpocketed, beaten up, you know, you need all kinds of guarantees.”

“We're working very hard as seriously to make sure that the people of Konokon continue to benefit from the mineral wealth that really belongs to them.”

“it's safe. We are in discussions with Kwaidu because we are governments.”

“the economic consequences of the region's biggest single employer shutting its gates are clear for everyone. So we just stepped into a dusty courtyard here, just outside the mine site.”

“This is the only business these people now have, now that the mine is closed and the head of the family has lost his job.”

“laying off the entire workforce. CEO, DARR D'Cramer says the first lady's intervention had had the effect of heightening tensions.”

“CEO, DARR D'Cramer says the first lady's intervention had had the effect of heightening tensions. He blames the government for not guaranteeing security.”

“Since the closure of the mine is very difficult, life is so terrible. Other people are doing petty trading, mining, agriculture just to make ends meet.”

“Winning the legal claim for lost wages, he said, was now the key. If we don't get the final say of our case in court, we don't get our benefit. We'll go on the rampage.”

“say are unpaid wages. Whether they win or not, the economic consequences for sale. This is the only business these people now have now that the mine is closed and the head of the family has lost his job.”