WEALA, Margibi – The management of the Salala Rubber Corporation has, with immediate effect, banned all political activities, including rallies and meetings on the premises.

The company has warned all of its employees and other affected individuals to adhere to the policy.

In a joint memorandum of understanding signed by the workers union, staff association, and the management dated March 17, 2017, the company banned any form of political gathering on its labor camps and work sites.

The MOU further stated the company was concerned about its primary responsibility as a business entity and would not want to function as a conduit for political activity.

“The company adheres to a very strict policy of no political activities, such as meetings and rallies at any of its labor camps and worksites,” the MOU read. “Owing to the fact that SRC is a business entity, it wishes to remain neutral, and steer clear of any political affiliation that will undoubtedly affect its operations in Liberia.”

The MOU means that politicians will not be allowed to campaign to the hundreds of eligible voters working and residing within the company’s eight labor camps.

The company’s plantation hosts three voting precincts within Margibi electoral district and was an area of political interest for the 2005 and 2011 presidential and legislative elections, as well as the 2014 special senatorial election.

Political pundits have condemned the MOU’s political ban, terming it as a violation of fundamental rights under the Liberian constitution, which states that citizens have the right “to assemble and consult upon the common good, to instruct their representatives, to petition the government or other functionaries for the redress of grievances and to associate fully with others or refuse to associate with political parties, trade unions, and other organizations.”

Featured photo by Emmanuel Degleh