2 August, 2011On 22nd July, Liberian affiliate, Metal Mechanic Electrical Communications and Allied Workers Union (MMECAWU) won recognition through plant level elections, ending a five year battle for the right to organise No Lemon Liberia, a subsidiary of the multinational of Automotive Management Services.
LIBERIA: When No Lemon opened its operation in Liberia five years ago, the company set up a Grievance Committee comprising of management with no worker representatives. This committee was tasked with handling labour issues and blocked the union from organising. MMECAWU took its concerns to the Labour Ministry, requesting the ministry to enforce international conventions on freedom of association.
The situation worsened when No Lemon filed a lawsuit against the union, alleging that organisers had entered the plant illegally. This resulted in a lengthy battle which ended with the company withdrawing the case after intervention by the Labour Ministry and agreement from all parties to engage in social dialogue.
MCCEAWU General Secretary Abraham Nimene, says that working conditions at No Lemon do not meet labour law standards in Liberia or international standards, especially regarding health and safety. He characterises employment at the company as precarious work, with a probation period of thirteen months when the labour law states three months. He adds that No Lemon has won the contract to maintain, repair and service the fleet of vehicles of the United Nations Mission in Liberia and should consider the impact of negative publicity regarding worker rights and working conditions could have on such contracts in the future.
The union has won the right to represent the 300 workers employed by No Lemon in three regions and is engaging with worker leaders at other companies to strategise their approach to collective bargaining.