The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), has reassured timber workers that all arrears owed to them will be paid directly to verified individual beneficiaries, not through rival unions, lawyers, or other third parties. This clarification follows renewed protests at the MFDP headquarters, where demonstrators claiming to represent the Timber Workers Union blocked entrances and demanded immediate payments.
The protest came just days after a smaller demonstration with similar demands. Addressing the situation, the Ministry confirmed that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has instructed the MFDP to settle the workers’ arrears but stressed that only those verified as legitimate timber workers will receive payments. Dispute Between Union Factions The clarification comes amid a leadership dispute between rival factions of the Timber Workers Union, led by Bertholomew Kollie and Michael Blama, both of whom are claiming authority to represent the workers. According to the MFDP, these conflicting claims have made it impossible to process funds through a single union structure.
In the past, the government halted lump-sum payments—including a US$200,000 check to the Liberty Law Firm and earlier disbursements totaling US$120,000 and LD14 million—after questions arose over who was authorized to receive the funds. The Central Bank of Liberia subsequently issued a stop-payment order to prevent misdirection of workers’ money. Safeguarding Transparency The MFDP announced that US$500,000 has been earmarked for the immediate settlement of timber workers’ arrears. To ensure transparency and accountability, the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) will prepare vouchers for beneficiaries.
These vouchers will be subject to strict review by the MFDP’s Legal Office and Debt Management Unit before being approved by the Comptroller and Accountant General. Commitment to Workers By adopting this direct-payment approach, the government says it is safeguarding the interests of timber workers and ending opportunities for exploitation by groups seeking to profit from their struggles. “The government’s obligation is to the timber workers themselves—not to any union, faction, or intermediary,” the MFDP stressed. “Every worker will receive what is rightfully owed to them.”
