NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – Contractor Compliance, a unit of the Human Resources and Organizational Management Department of ArcelorMittal Liberia, has reported that 5,508 Liberians were recruited by contractor companies between January and December 2025, following a directive to prioritize employment for fenceline communities.
The update comes amid concerns raised in 2024 by residents of communities surrounding ArcelorMittal Liberia’s operations over limited access to job opportunities.
In response, the company’s Global Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Mining, Mr. Kleber Silva, issued a directive requiring all contractors operating under ArcelorMittal Liberia to give priority to qualified candidates from fenceline communities for both general and skilled positions.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
Since the directive was issued, Contractor Compliance has worked closely with contractors, the Community Relations Department, and community leadership structures to ensure full adherence.
Under the revised recruitment process, human resource managers of contracted companies submit job advertisements to ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Community Relations Unit, which then engages community members, collects applications, and facilitates candidate verification through recognized community leaders.
According to the data released, the recruitment exercise resulted in 5,508 Liberians being employed or contracted in 2025, representing 81.6 percent of the total contractor workforce. Of this number, 3,386 were skilled workers.
Fenceline communities accounted for 1,851 skilled positions, while 1,535 skilled workers were recruited from other parts of the country.
In the unskilled labor category, 2,122 Liberians were employed or contracted, including 1,536 from fenceline communities and 586 from outside the immediate operational areas.
Contractor Compliance explained that employment arrangements vary, with some workers engaged on long-term contracts and others hired for specific projects, depending on contractual agreements between ArcelorMittal Liberia and its contractors.
Beyond meeting employment targets, the report highlights the broader impact of local recruitment in communities hosting large-scale mining operations.
Local hiring helps to increase household incomes, reduce unemployment, and strengthen trust between the company, contractors, and host communities. It also contributes to social stability and peaceful coexistence in operational areas.
The unit further noted that employing community members improves operational efficiency, as local workers are more familiar with the environment and are more likely to remain in their jobs, thereby reducing staff turnover.
The approach also supports skills transfer and workforce development, enabling community residents to gain experience that enhances their long-term employability beyond mining-related work.
Contractor Compliance emphasized that while fenceline communities are prioritized, recruitment remains merit-based and fully aligned with national labor laws and ArcelorMittal Liberia policies, ensuring fairness, transparency, and safety across all contractor operations.
ArcelorMittal Liberia says the 2025 recruitment figures reflect its commitment to responsible mining, community inclusion, and shared value creation.
The company has reaffirmed its intent to continue monitoring contractor compliance, deepen engagement with host communities, and refine recruitment processes to address emerging concerns and sustain local participation in employment opportunities.
