Monrovia – Following adjudication into complaint of bad labor practice filed before the Ministry of Labour by National Union of Hospitality, Aviation, Communication and Energy Workers (NUHACE), the Ministry has called on Trust Services Company (TSC), the employment agency managing staff for National Beverages Incorporated, to comply with provisions of the Decent Work Act of 2015 and its signed Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with workers.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
The union had accused the management of persistent violations of the CBA, ranging from delayed salary payments to refusal to transition long-serving casual workers into permanent employment. NUHACE further alleged wrongful suspension and dismissal of union leaders, denial of medical benefits, and the termination of 60 workers after a strike action in July.
According to the Ministry’s findings, Trust Services argued that it lacked the financial capacity to meet all of the CBA’s demands at once, insisting that workers’ strike actions were illegal and destructive, forcing the company to call in police for protection. However, the Ministry noted that management failed to provide video evidence to substantiate its claims of property damage.
The Ministry emphasized that under the Decent Work Act, CBAs are legally binding on both employers and employees, and that the July 28 strike fell within the legal framework, as the dispute had been properly referred for conciliation.
It at the same time warned that any proven acts of violence or destruction during industrial actions would be subject to criminal investigation by law enforcement.
On the matter of dismissals, the Ministry advised Trust Services to review the list of terminated employees and provide justifiable reasons in line with the law.
It cautioned management against mass terminations without due process, stressing that dismissals must follow legal procedures under the Decent Work Act.
In a letter dated September 12, 2025 and addressed to the management of TSC, the Ministry of Labor explained that the termination of 60 employees must be done in compliance with the law, not through hasty decisions.
‘We recommend that management reconsider their decision by reviewing the list, submitting a list and reasons for terminating the employment of employees with whom they can no longer work for further discussion no later than two weeks after the date of this communication,’ said the communication.
The Ministry also called on both parties to accept its determinations in good faith to restore workplace peace and harmony.
In their quest to seek justice, NUHACE has been supported by the Movement against Bad Labor, an acclaimed rights group that advocates against bad labor practices across the country.
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