GANTA, Nimba – After protests by workers against the management of the Nimba Rubber Inc. over salary delay, workers have now received their five months’ salary arrears.

According to the general manager of what was formerly the Cocopa Rubber Plantation Company, Solomon Gaigai, the workers’ wage payments began on April 4 and ended on Saturday, April 9.

“This money, which is L$56.2 million or US$640,500, was provided by the Government of Liberia to the Management,” he said.

According to Gaigai, all employees at the plantation are expected to resume working following the payment of the workers’ salaries and other benefits such as medical bills. He said the management is hopeful of completing the process as soon as possible.

“[At] Cocopa Rubber Plantation, the workers are in high gear, they are jubilating as they are getting their five months’ salary arrears,” Sakpah Mahn, the head of the workers’ union of NRI, said to Augustine Dahn of Voice of Gompa in Ganta, Nimba County.

Mahn said in addition to the salary payment, management would also pay other benefits owed over the period.

“According to the document I have here, [it] indicates that management is going to pay all accrued liabilities, and that also include benefits,” Mahn said.

Since taking over as caretaker management of the Cocopa Rubber Plantation Company, NRI has found it difficult to finance its payroll. There have been series of strikes from workers over salary payment, most recently on March 19 and 25. The Liberian government appointed the current management to run the plantation until a more permanent management is found.

Management has blamed the irregularity in salary payments on the drop in the price of rubber on the international market.

Featured photo by  Solidarity Center/Bill E. Diggs