BONG MINES, Bong County, Liberia — Workers at China Union’s Bong Mines concession are threatening to stage a protest to draw the government’s attention to what they describe as long‑standing safety, health and employment failures at the site. In a bid to ground their action in community consent, the workers’ union on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2025, convened chiefs, elders and citizens and presented an 18‑point complaint seeking their support.
The petition, delivered at a public meeting, asks traditional leaders to stand with workers as they plan an “action” at the concession if their demands continue to go unaddressed. Elders and chiefs acknowledged receipt of the document, thanked the union for channeling concerns through them, and asked for one week to do follow‑up before advising on next steps, according to organizers.
What Workers Want
Framed as “Grievances Against the Management of China Union Investment (Liberia) Limited — Bong Mines Company,” the petition group demands around health, safety, jobs and oversight. Among the key points, the union calls for:
- Restoring essential health services, including reopening the Bong Mines Hospital for workers and surrounding communities and establishing an on‑site ambulance for emergencies (citing Section 10 of the Mining Development Agreement, MDA).
- Stronger workplace protections and supplies such as personal protective equipment (PPE), along with reliable safe drinking water (referencing MDA Section 9.1 and 9.5).
- General employment opportunities prioritizing affected communities and an end to “third‑party” employment arrangements at the mine.
- Adequate housing for workers (the petition cites MDA provisions) and a new collective bargaining agreement.
- Proper handling of National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) deductions and records, especially for contractor workers.
- Easier access for Labor Inspectors and the creation of a liaison office for affected communities to raise concerns and resolve disputes.
- Employing Liberians to operate company equipment and vehicles and strengthening the existing union’s role on site.
The petition also alleges that “the Ministry of Labor sold our jobs to the Chinese,” an accusation the document does not detail. All claims in the petition are attributed to the union; the Liberian government and China Union had not responded publicly to these latest grievances at the time of the meeting, according to organizers.
Why it matters for families Beyond policy citations, the heart of the complaint is about daily life in Fuamah District. Workers say shuttered or inconsistent health services and a lack of emergency transport leave families vulnerable when accidents or illness strike. They argue that persistent water, housing and safety gaps erode dignity at work and at home, while complicated employment arrangements and unclear social security deductions make it harder to plan for the future.
“Respecting the elders” was a recurring theme at Saturday’s gathering. Organizers said they wanted to avoid a confrontation by first seeking guidance from chiefs and traditional leaders, whose blessing carries weight in community decision‑making. The elders’ one‑week window for follow‑up offers a brief opening for dialogue among the union, company and government before any street action.
About China Union and Bong Mines
China Union Investment (Liberia) Company holds a long‑term concession to mine iron ore at Bong Mines, the former Bong Mining Company site in Fuamah District, about 80 kilometers northeast of Monrovia. The agreement, signed in 2009, aimed to rehabilitate the war‑damaged operation and linked rail infrastructure to the Freeport of Monrovia. Limited shipments resumed several years later, but operations have been intermittent over the past decade amid global iron‑ore price swings, infrastructure challenges and periodic labor disputes. Community groups and employees have repeatedly pressed the company over social obligations spelled out in the MDA, including commitments related to health facilities, water, housing and local employment.
What’s Next
Traditional leaders have asked the workers’ union for one week to engage and report back. Union representatives say they will hold off on announcing a protest date until they hear from the elders, but they want concrete timelines on hospital services, emergency response, PPE, water, housing and a fresh collective bargaining process. The petition was signed by representatives of the workers, redundant workers, youth and organized labor in the area.
This story will be updated if China Union or relevant government ministries respond to the workers’ latest complaints or announce steps to address them.
