There are reports of intense unrest at the Freeport of Monrovia after dock workers discovered that Labor Minister, Cllr. Charles Gibson, has turned his back on their democratically elected leadership only to give recognition to a dismissed former president, Jackie Doe, who is impersonating as their leader.
According to information, Jackie Doe was dismissed by the management of the National Port Authority (NPA) weeks following the expiration of her official tenure as President in 2016. “The sudden dismissal however failed to teach Madam Doe a lesson, as she resulted into organizing a fake union bearing the same name as the one she previously headed,” the Hot Pepper was told by a dock worker.
The formation of another Dock Workers Union with the same name was vehemently rescinded by past labor ministers who saw her action as an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the main union and counterproductive to the interest of dock workers; however, the current minister recognizing the fake leadership has been viewed by many as a way of “promoting his quest for money through fraudulent means”.
The democratically elected workers President, Moses Sheriff, and his corps of officers have been reportedly sidelined by Minister Gibson, who has chose to recognize Jackie Doe, who is said to have been dismissed by the NPA management years ago.
The arbitrary recognition of Jackie Doe as president of DOWUL has provoked major unrest among NPA workers who are calling for the immediate dismissal of Minister Charles Gibson for what they described as act incompatible with his status.
Angry dock workers spoken to by the Hot Pepper at the Freeport of Monrovia last week said, “Minister Gibson is too corrupt and naïve to head an institution that is charged with the responsibility to seek the interest of workers in Liberia.”
The group warned that maintaining the Minister in the position amidst growing dissatisfaction about his integrity will undermine the credibility of President Weah’s administration.
An official of the dock workers said allegations of bribery and corruption, for which the minister was rejected by the Liberian Senate when he was appointed Justice Minister by President George Weah, are following Cllr. Gibson in his new portfolio as Labor Minister.
The reported decision to sidestep the elected leadership of the Dock Workers Union is also raising eyebrows among port users, who appear sympathetic to the cause of the workers.
Meanwhile, the union says it will challenge the action in court and compel Minister Charles Gibson to revise his position on the leadership of the Dock Workers Union.
According to the union’s President, Moses Sheriff, his leadership is preparing a ten-count complaint against Charles Gibson to be submitted to President George Manneh Weah, detailing the fraudulent activities of the minister.
Investigation continues…