FUAMAH DISTRICT, Bong County — Representative Foday Fahnbulleh of Bong County District Seven has continued his vigorous advocacy for improved welfare and working conditions for employees of China Union, reinforcing his commitment to protecting the interests of workers and communities affected by the company’s operations.
By Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com
The latest engagement, which took place on Saturday between Representative Fahnbulleh and the management of China Union, focused on a range of longstanding concerns raised by workers and residents of Fuamah District, where the mining company operates.
Fuamah is one of two administrative districts comprising Electoral District Seven and serves as a major area of economic activity due to the company’s presence.
For several years, local workers and residents have complained about a host of challenges associated with the company’s operations. Among the issues repeatedly raised were allegations of poor labor practices, inadequate safety equipment, delayed salary payments, limited access to healthcare services, environmental concerns stemming from mining activities, poor road conditions, and a lack of adequate sanitation facilities at various work sites.
Workers had also expressed concerns about the condition of the railway system and the impact of mining activities on community water sources.
Representative Fahnbulleh’s continued engagement with China Union management has increasingly positioned him as one of the most vocal advocates for workers within the concession area. Political observers note that his sustained oversight activities have also weakened claims by some opposition figures who had previously accused him of being overly sympathetic to the company.
Critics had alleged that the lawmaker was not doing enough to challenge management on behalf of workers. However, his repeated inspections, public engagements, and direct confrontations with management over workers’ concerns have increasingly undermined those accusations.
Residents familiar with the concession operations say the lawmaker’s willingness to publicly demand accountability from management demonstrates an independent approach that prioritizes the welfare of his constituents over political narratives.
Several community leaders argue that the ongoing oversight engagements have shown that Fahnbulleh remains committed to ensuring that workers receive the benefits and protections they deserve under the concession agreement.
According to information provided following Saturday’s meeting, China Union management reported progress on several key issues previously raised by workers and community members. Management informed the lawmaker that the procurement of hundreds of Personal Protective Equipment items was underway and presented approximately 300 newly acquired safety boots intended for workers.
The company further disclosed that technicians would begin a comprehensive assessment of the railway system to determine its current condition and identify interventions necessary to restore safe and efficient operations. Management also announced plans to deploy assessment teams to identify locations for the construction of much-needed latrines across work sites.
Additionally, company officials committed to immediately engaging communities whose water sources have reportedly been polluted by mining activities. The engagement is expected to facilitate the provision of alternative sources of safe drinking water to affected residents. On road rehabilitation, management pledged to communicate with community leaders regarding implementation timelines for the commencement of improvement works.
Addressing one of the most persistent complaints from workers, management informed Representative Fahnbulleh that a new salary payment arrangement had been established through Lonestar
Communications. According to management, the new system is expected to eliminate recurring delays in salary disbursements, with officials assuring that workers should not continue experiencing payment challenges after the current month.
The company also committed to engaging local healthcare providers to address concerns regarding workers’ access to timely and adequate medical treatment. The issue has remained a major source of frustration among employees who have long complained about delays and difficulties in obtaining healthcare services.
Speaking after the meeting, Representative Fahnbulleh welcomed the commitments but stressed that promises alone would not be sufficient to address the legitimate concerns of workers and communities.
“Our engagement with China Union is not about public relations. It is about ensuring that workers receive the dignity, protection, and respect they deserve. We have listened to the concerns of our people, and we intend to follow every commitment made by management until tangible results are seen on the ground,” Rep. Fahnbulleh declared.
The lawmaker emphasized that workers have endured numerous challenges for years and deserve immediate improvements in their working environment.
“The workers have raised concerns about safety equipment, delayed salaries, healthcare access, sanitation facilities, and environmental issues. These are not luxuries. These are basic rights and necessities. We will continue pressing management until meaningful action replaces promises,” he stated.
Rep. Fahnbulleh further warned that his office would maintain rigorous oversight of the company’s activities in the concession area. “Our people are expecting results, not excuses. We will independently verify every commitment made. Where progress is made, we will acknowledge it. Where there are shortcomings, we will not hesitate to raise those concerns. Accountability must become the standard.”
He also announced that another oversight visit has been scheduled for June 27, 2026, during which his office will evaluate the implementation of commitments made by management.
“The era of empty promises must come to an end. Communities deserve safe drinking water. Workers deserve safe working conditions. Roads must be improved, and responsible corporate citizenship must become a reality. We will remain firmly on the side of the people until these obligations are fulfilled.”
Several casual workers who attended the meeting expressed appreciation for the lawmaker’s intervention, describing his involvement as one of the few instances in which workers felt their concerns were being directly represented before company management.
Moses Kollie, a casual worker who participated in the meeting, said employees had long struggled to have their voices heard until Representative Fahnbulleh became actively involved in the matter. He praised the lawmaker for consistently returning to the concession area and engaging management on behalf of workers despite political pressure from various quarters.
“For a long time, we felt abandoned. Representative Fahnbulleh has been the one coming here, listening to us, and carrying our concerns directly to management. We appreciate that effort because it shows somebody is paying attention to what workers are going through.”
Another worker, Sarah Karmo, described the lawmaker’s oversight activities as encouraging and necessary. She said many workers had become frustrated over delayed salaries and inadequate working conditions but now feel hopeful that improvements could materialize if management fulfills its commitments.
“We are happy that he did not just visit once and disappear. He keeps coming back and asking management tough questions. That is what workers expect from their elected representative.”
Peter Zulu, who has worked in the concession area for several years, stated that workers have repeatedly raised concerns regarding safety and sanitation. According to him, the lawmaker’s intervention has forced management to pay closer attention to issues that were previously overlooked.
“The meeting gave workers confidence because management had to respond directly to concerns that have been troubling us for years. We thank Representative Fahnbulleh for standing with the workers.”
Meanwhile, another casual worker, Hannah Gboe, said workers were encouraged by management’s commitments but stressed that implementation would ultimately determine whether the engagement was successful.
“The representative has done his part by bringing management to the table and making them answer our concerns. What we want now is action. If the promises are fulfilled, workers and communities will benefit greatly.”
