October 5, 2017 By Ibrahim K.Turay
Some seven former workers of Shandong Steel Limited have asked the Industrial Court to order the mining company to pay their seven months backlog salaries and benefits.
The complainants claimed that the company owes them over five hundred million Leones.
They claimed they had worked for African Minerals Sierra Leone Limited for years – the company bought over by Shandong – and were paid their end-of-service benefit prior to the take-over.
One of the complainants, Kai Senessie, who claimed to have worked at African Minerals for nine years, told Justice Sengu Koroma that during the transition from African Minerals to Shandong Steel Company they were assured that the new company would retain their services.
In a bid to back his claims, he presented a letter of appointment, medical insurance card issued by Shandong steel, and transfer letter to the BO exploration camp, among other documents.
“When the transition happened we were paid salaries by Shandong,” he told the appellate court judge, adding: “When the BO camp closed, the company’s head office in Freetown ordered us to temporary ceased operations as a result of the Ebola.”
He said that even during the break period, Shandong Steel assured them of salary increment, which he said reflected in their bank accounts but was eventually terminated in March 2015, while the company further ceased paying their medical bills.
The seven men are demanding that the company pay them seven months backlog salary, end of service benefits, and annual leave allowances respectively.