By Elijah Easter Kaykay
Serious allegations have emerged against the management of Krish Veneer Industries, a plywood manufacturing plant in Harlandsville Township, implicating Grand Bassa’s Deputy Labor Commissioner, Brownell Pailey, in a reported scheme to suppress workers’ rights and silence dissenting voices.
Factory workers are raising alarms over substandard wages, unsafe working conditions, and the management’s alleged refusal to address grievances through appropriate labor channels. “We have tried to raise our concerns with management, but they dismiss us and refuse to listen,” said one worker, who requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation.
Multiple sources within the factory claim that Deputy Commissioner Pailey, tasked with upholding labor rights under the Liberian Labor Practices Law of 2010, has instead taken the side of the company. “It’s shocking to see a government official involved in protecting the interests of a private company while ignoring the plight of workers,” another anonymous worker told this reporter.
Efforts by media personnel to enter the factory premises for independent investigation were reportedly blocked by security guards. This restriction raises transparency concerns and appears to contravene the Liberian Freedom of Information Act of 2010, which guarantees citizens and journalists access to information held by public bodies, barring specific exemptions such as national security or privacy issues.
When contacted for comment, Deputy Pailey refused to respond to questions. His silence has only deepened public suspicion and sparked further criticism from civil society groups.
Krish Veneer Industries, which plays a notable role in the township’s economy by employing dozens of local residents, has not yet issued a statement regarding the allegations.
As outrage grows, labor advocates and human rights defenders are calling on the Ministry of Labor to launch an independent and transparent investigation. “Allowing a public official to collude with private interests not only weakens public trust but also sets a dangerous precedent for labor rights across the country,” said a representative from a local labor watchdog organization.
This unfolding situation casts a spotlight on Liberia’s labor enforcement mechanisms and the accountability of public officials. Many await the Ministry’s next steps and the outcomes of any forthcoming investigations.
