Koidu Limited has announced the immediate implementation of a Care and Maintenance phase, citing an ongoing illegal industrial strike that has disrupted operations. The decision was communicated in a March 25 letter addressed to the Minister of Employment, Labor, and Social Security, Hon. Mohamed Swarray.
The company emphasized that the move was necessary to safeguard assets, ensure personal safety, and maintain business continuity.
This development follows an unsuccessful appeal made on March 20, when both Koidu Limited and the Ministry of Employment, Labor, and Social Security (MELSS) issued a press release urging workers to return to their posts. The release stated that an agreement had been reached to address the workers’ concerns, which initially led to the strike action. However, despite this resolution, the company claims that operations remain stalled due to continued worker resistance.
In its letter to the Minister, Koidu Limited accused striking workers of violating the Industrial Relations and Trade Union Act, 2024, alleging that those willing to resume work are facing intimidation and threats. The company further alleged that the situation has been exacerbated by political interference, singling out First Lady Fatima Maada Bio as a key figure influencing the strike’s continuation.
According to the company, the First Lady has “directly and through social media” urged workers to remain on strike until she personally addresses their grievances. This, Koidu Limited argues, has undermined the resolutions already negotiated between the company and MELSS, further escalating tensions.
With the labor dispute unresolved and tensions rising, Koidu Limited stated that it has no option but to transition into Care and Maintenance mode, as permitted under the Trade Union Act, 2024, and the Employment Act, 2023. This procedure focuses on protecting company assets, ensuring employee safety, and maintaining essential business functions while operations remain suspended.
The company has reiterated its commitment to dialogue but insists that a resolution must be reached without intimidation or external political pressure.
As the situation unfolds, it remains uncertain how the government will respond to Koidu Limited’s claims of political interference and its decision to halt operations. The economic and social impact of the company’s temporary closure could be significant, affecting workers and the broader Kono community.
