The Board of Directors of the Liberia National Tailors, Textiles, Garments and Allied Workers Union (LNTTGAWU) Incorporated has, with immediate effect, suspended the union’s President, Edison Carlon, and Secretary General, Jinkins Renny, for time indefinite.
The LNTTGAWU Board of Directors, which is the highest decision-making body of the union, announced the suspension in an official press statement issued on Friday, November 25, 2022.
Reading the statement on behalf of the Board of Directors, Mohamed S. Bah, Secretary of Board, said, “In the wake of too many controversies and the lack of cohesion among leaders of the Liberia National Tailors, Textile, Garment and Allied Workers Union Inc., we, majority members of the Board of Directors, would like to seize this opportunity to bring the general public up to date with the happenings of our noble organization and inform you that we have taken a series of measures to ensure sanity among our members to restore the image of our noble institution.
“After the union was held hostage for a very long time by some high ranking officials, including the Board Chairman, Co-Chairman and Secretary, 2/3 members of the Board declared a vote of no confidence in all three of them and expelled them from the union.”
According to the LNTTGAWU press statement, “After the decision was made in June 2022 and in the spirit of reactivating the union, we took a decision to sell 10 of the 52 sewing machines belonging to the LNTTGAWU for US$1,000. The money generated was then given to the President, Edison Carlon, to keep the union up and running, along with his co-officials, but with instructions as to how the money should be used.
“Among other things, President Carlon was instructed to secure a temporary office for the union and use the remaining funds towards activities that would boost the image of the union. However, since June, President Carlon is yet to show anything to the board and the LNTTGAWU membership and, regrettably, cannot account for the money. Other senior officials of his administration have accused him and the Secretary General, whom they say dances to his tune, of squandering the funds, in addition to violating several articles of our constitution.”
The press statement, signed by eight board members, continued, “Therefore, with the supreme power vested in us as the highest decision-making body of this union, and in the interest of the larger membership out there, we announce that President Edison Carlon and Secretary General Jinkins Renny have been suspended with immediate effect for time indefinite.
“In the interest of continuity, we announce that Ezekiel S. Kamara will, from now on, serve as Acting President, and Abdul K. Kamara, as Acting Secretary General. These two acting leaders, with the other executive members, will lead us to convention when tailors would elect their choice for the next four years.
“Meanwhile, we are kindly asking all our partners not to do any business with former President Edison Carlon and former Secretary General Jinkins Renny in the name of the union, as doing so will be at your own risk. We are also urging all tailors and seamstresses to cooperate with the new leadership, for the betterment of our union.”
