–Tears One Employee Apart
For the past years, Sethi Ferro Fabrik Incorporated, known as Sethi Steel Factory, has proved to be one of the most dangerous, reckless and risky places of work in Liberia, with employees being exposed to all sorts of health hazards and explosive chemicals, without proper safety gear.
On Monday, February 17, 2025, another heavy chemical explosion occurred at Sethi Steel Factory’s Oxygen Plant, leaving one employee, Saah Samukai, cut apart and dying a few minutes afterwards. Like other explosions in past, Samukai was reportedly without safety gear, leaving him vulnerable and at the mercy of the explosion.
In an apparent defense of the act, the company has come up with what the public has termed as a flimsy press statement, claiming that they “always prioritize the safety and well-being of our employees and have in place robust safety measures, which we continuously work to uphold at the highest industry standard”.
Unfortunately, sources have informed the Hot Pepper otherwise. On an anonymous basis they told the paper that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Rasphal Singh (aka Paul Sethi), is very stubborn and does not care for anyone because he feels that he can take their money and spend it on government officials to cover up his bad labor practices and unsafe working environment.
In another paragraph of the press statement, Sethi Brothers claimed that “our employees are the heart of our operations, and their safety is our top priority”, which insiders described as mockery to the employees and contractors of the company. They accused the company of several bad labor practices, including salaries below the stipulation of the Decent Work Act, dirty work environment and no regard for employees’ safety.
The company further stated in the release that they are fully cooperating with relevant government authorities to ensure a transparent and thorough process, but the statement was also described as “usual”, and only intended to create room for the company to carry out closed-door handshakes and extend “peanuts” to the bereaved family as an expression of sympathy.
Relatives of the deceased, Saah Samukai, are meanwhile calling on the government to ensure that Sethi Brothers account for the death of their relative. “Sethi Brothers must surely account for this because over the years workers have complained about not being protected while at work,” Armah Seh, a relative of the deceased, wrote on his Facebook page.
The Hot Pepper has been hinted that, a few weeks ago, another employee of Sethi Steel Factory was involved in another incident—a machine cutting off four of his fingers, and up to now the victim is yet to be taken to hospital for treatment. However, it appears like the company has smartly covered the incident, and threatened the victim that, if he still wants his job, he should keep his mouth shut. Unfortunately, the Hot Pepper has uncovered the incident, and will delve into the matter in detail in its subsequent edition. Part II tomorrow.