11/11/2025 – MONROVIA: Final resolution has been met between China Union iron ore mining company, and its striking workers through a 14-count Memorandum of Understanding, signed on Monday, November 10, 2025, at the company’s concession headquarters in Bong Mines, Bong County.
The company and the workers have been locked down in a one week standoff with the workers demanding better working conditions on the one hand, and affected communities raising concerns about benefits for the company’s operations, prompting immediate intervention from the Ministry of Labour, Mines and Energy, and the Offices of the Superintendents of Bong, and Margibi Counties’ ,as well as the Lawmakers from District#7 in Bong County, and District #4 in Margibi, Foday Fahnbulleh, and Emmanuel Yah.
After an intensive one-week negotiation by the Government, the workers - represented by the United Workers Union of Liberia (UWUL), China Union and its employees, and the affected communities have agreed to terms of an 18-count position statement and affixed their signatures to the MOU which now restores calm in Bong Mines and expected to set a new stage for harmonious working relations.
Principally, through the Memorandum of Understanding, China Union has agreed to allow jobs set aside for Liberians according to labour standards of the Country to be performed by them within a given period of one month, and provide training to enable Liberian workers operate other specialized equipment/machines.
The company has also agreed to prioritize the hiring of redundant workers within one month through a process that will involve the United Workers Union of Liberia, and, within the same one month period after signing of the MOU, begin to address the issue of housing units for workers during negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and within nine months, China Union has agreed to recondition the Bong Mines Hospital to provide adequate healthcare for the workers and residents of its operational areas. For immediate intervention, meanwhile, China Union agreed in the MOU to give Liberian workers access to the lone health facility at its central office, provide medical facilities on the mines and hire private healthcare service providers to cater to the communities.
Within one month, China Union also agreed in the MOU to carry out a 3-month assessment along with the Ministries of Mines and Energy, and Labour, and the Environmental Protection Agency to identify locations to install one hand pump for each affected community, and as well, allow local farmers/residents to use available roads in the concession area, or within a month, provide them alternative routes.
The company has also agreed to allow unhindered access to government authorities visiting the concession for inspection and compliance purposes, and within a month, adopt a new policy on the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the workers on a wear-and-tear basis, provide office space for the workers union, and handle all issues concerning the workers’ social security (NASSCORP) contributions.
The contending issue of providing Scraps for the affected communities was also addressed by the November 10, 2025 Memorandum of Understanding. Within a two-week period, China Union will work along with the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), and the Scrap Committees of Bong, and Margibi Counties to identify scrap items and turned same over to the counties as part of their social development benefits.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy assures the public, especially those residing in mining concession areas, and investors in the mining sector of Liberia that it remains firmly committed to ensuring peaceful coexistence between employers and employees of every mining company and will continue to work alongside the Labour Ministry to resolve any issues resulting from protests or other forms of agitation. The Ministry (MME) calls on all parties to the China Union MOU to uphold all provisions of the agreement to avoid a recurrence of the recent protest.
MINISTRY OF MINES AND ENERGY PUBLIC RELATIONS