News Story

FREETOWN: MUSA KABIA: Koidu Holdings Limited the only Kimberlite company in the country whose operations were suspended in December last year has been forced to terminate the services of three hundred and forty nine (349) more workers.
According to reports, letters of termination of contracts have already been prepared to layoff 349 workers to reduce financial burden on the company whose operations were suspended five months ago.
The Public Relations Officer of Koidu Holdings, Ibrahim Sorie confirmed the would-be sackings last night when New Vision contacted him.

He said since the December 14th demonstrations which led to the death of two people and the subsequent suspension of the company’s mining operations, KHL has been grappling with payment of salaries and benefits of 548 workers for doing sweet nothing, a development that has forced the company to reduce its staff strength.
He said the financial commitment to the workers has forced management to sack more in addition to the 126 workers that were laid off in February.

He explained that the company’s national staff strength of 548 will now be reduced to 78, adding that 90% of expatriate staff have already left the country as a result of the suspension of the company’s operations.

Speaking on telephone from Koidu town, yesterday one of the about- to-be- sacked workers said the suspension of the company’s operations has brought untold hardship on the lives of a cross section of the Koidu public.

The operations of Koidu Holdings were suspended last year following demonstrations by Affected Property Owners who were agitating for better benefits.