By Emmanuel M Kangar Jr.
Multiple leaked videos, photographs, and internal documents obtained by Verity News reveal what workers describe as ‘modern slavery’ and dangerous labour practices at China Union in Bong County.
In one of the videos reviewed, a heavy iron object suddenly dropped on a worker during operations, leaving him seriously injured. Colleagues who spoke on condition of anonymity say the company’s response to the incident was troubling, alleging that the site lacked even basic emergency medical support.
“They do not even have a first-aid team here, but they claim to be a $2.6 billion investment. How can this even be true when safety measures are very poor here?” one worker told Verity News.
The incident has intensified scrutiny over alleged labour exploitation at the company’s operations. Documents obtained during the investigation indicate that many workers are paid extremely low wages. Skilled workers reportedly earn about $1.20 per hour—approximately $12 for a 10-hour shift—while general labourers receive about $0.81 per hour, totaling roughly $8.10 for the same workday.
Workers also claim that there are no guaranteed days off, raising questions about whether the company is complying with Liberia’s labour standards.
Further findings show that many employees are not directly hired by China Union Investment but instead through a contractor identified as CRESS Human Resource Management Company.
Pay slips reviewed by Verity News suggest that some workers receive about $145 per month or less. Labor advocates say such wages fall far below what would be considered fair compensation given the hazardous nature of mining work.
Beyond wages and safety concerns, workers say they face basic welfare challenges at the site. Several employees allege that the company does not provide safe drinking water for workers. As a result, they say many employees must bring their own water before reporting to work each morning.
Environmental concerns are also mounting around the mining concession in Bong County. Workers and nearby residents allege that the company’s operations are contributing to pollution in surrounding communities.
Residents claim that dust, waste discharge and other mining activities have increasingly affected living conditions in communities near the mine, raising concerns about long-term environmental degradation in the area.
Efforts to obtain official comments from China Union Investment regarding the allegations were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
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