The Labour Commissioner of Bomi County, Hon. J. Jusu Sumo, has handed down a landmark ruling ordering the management of Mano Oil Palm Plantation to immediately pay all outstanding salary arrears owed to more than 1,434 workers. The decision, announced this week, brings closure to a prolonged legal dispute over what employees had consistently described as “wrongful salary deductions” dating back to February 2020.
The case was originally filed on February 3, 2025, when aggrieved workers lodged a formal complaint against the management of Mano Oil Palm Plantation. The workers alleged that following the company’s takeover from Sime Darby Plantation, salaries were arbitrarily reduced without justification, in direct violation of the Decent Work Act of 2015. During the proceedings, the employees argued that the cuts not only contravened Liberia’s labour laws but also placed enormous hardship on families and communities that depend on the plantation for their livelihood.
The complaint outlined that the reductions were implemented without negotiation, notice, or any legal backing, leaving workers disenfranchised and struggling to meet basic needs. In his ruling, Commissioner Sumo declared the salary reductions “unlawful and inconsistent with the Decent Work Act”, emphasizing that employers are under obligation to uphold workers’ rights and adhere strictly to the laws governing employment relations in Liberia. He further instructed that the back pay owed to the affected workers be calculated and disbursed without delay.
The ruling is being hailed by labour advocates and union representatives as a major victory for workers’ rights in Liberia. It also sets an important precedent for ensuring accountability within the private sector. Commissioner Sumo reaffirmed the Ministry of Labour’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of all workers. “No company, regardless of its size or influence, is above the law. The rights and dignity of workers must be respected at all times,” he stated. With this ruling, over 1,400 Mano Oil Palm Plantation employees are expected to receive long-awaited compensation, marking a significant step toward fairness and justice in Liberia’s labour sector.
