By: Joseph Sirleaf/Contributing writer
Monrovia, Liberia – A labor advocate in Liberia is facing death threats after exposing bad labor practices in the country. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, George Tengbeh stated that his life is being threatened by an unknown individual. Tengbeh, a labor and governance advocate, has been a vocal critic of the Ministry of Labor and corporations for their poor treatment of workers in Liberia.
According to the advocate, the death threats started after he exposed the limited role the Ministry of Labor has been playing in securing justice for workers at Bea Mountain, AML, and other large corporations in Liberia, which he believes are allegedly involved in bad labor practices and are not seeking the welfare of workers or providing protective gear for them
He is quoted as saying “the government has an obligation to protect all citizens, especially those working to uphold justice and transparency,” a LILGA statement read. “If advocates can be threatened into silence, then the fight for fair work, safety, and dignity in Liberia is in jeopardy.”
As Liberia seeks to rebuild its labour governance system, the international community, particularly the International Labour Organization (ILO), continues to remind member states that protecting whistleblowers and enforcing decent work standards are integral to sustainable development. For now, however, advocates like George S. Tengbeh must continue their fight under fear, hoping that the system they defend will not abandon them.
According to him, an official complaint was filed with the Ministry of Justice. However, all efforts to investigate the reported threats against his life have resulted in the Ministry of Justice pushing him around without any positive outcome, and his life is in danger and his life is involved; he and his family are not free in their own country because of his stand against bad labor practices. The advocate claims that he has received threatening messages and phone calls, warning him to stop his activism or face the consequences of death.
Documents in the possession of THE INFORMER NEWSPAPER confirm that a formal complaint from the Liberia Labour and Governance Alliance (LILGA), filed in support of Mr. George S. Tengbeh, was sent to Justice Minister Oswald Tweh on September 18, 2024, and later received by the Liberia National Police on October 8, 2024. However, according to Tengbeh, an investigation did not begin until he personally pursued it through both the Ministry of Justice and the police.
The advocate disclosed that the police eventually opened an inquiry through the Crime Against Self Department. Still, as of the publication of this update, no official update has been provided to him or his legal representatives. “Since last year, I have constantly received death threats,” Tengbeh told reporters, “and because I cannot rely on the state for protection, I have taken it upon myself to be my own security.”
Tengbeh’s activism has targeted the labour sector’s entrenched failures, particularly the Ministry of Labour’s limited enforcement of the Decent Work Act of 2015 and the alleged exploitation of Liberian workers by major corporations, including mining giants such as ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML), Mano Manufacturing Company, Mano Oil Palm, Firestone Rubber Company, Western Cluster, New Plantinum Hotel, Sethi Steel Company, Jeety Rubber Company, and Bea Mountain. His public commentaries and investigative findings have often highlighted dangerous working conditions, unpaid wages, and the absence of protective equipment for employees across concession areas and private companies.
Tengbeh, who heads the Liberia Labour and Governance Alliance, has been at the forefront of labour advocacy, working on cases to ensure that the rights of workers are respected and that the Ministry of Labour aligns its operations with the Decent Work Law. His organization has previously championed high-profile cases, including the Mano Oil Palm Plantation workers’ dispute, where over 1,400 employees were ordered to receive back pay after illegal deductions by new management. His advocacy for 32 contractor workers at the New Redemption Hospital construction site saw all 32 dismissed workers receive their overtime wages and just benefits. Tengbeh was also the lead advocate who saw over 100 construction workers at the New Plantinum Hotel in Congo receive their overtime benefits through the Ministry of Labour.
The government has an obligation to protect all citizens, especially those working to uphold justice and transparency,” a LILGA statement read. “If advocates can be threatened into silence, then the fight for fair work, safety, and dignity in Liberia is in jeopardy.”
As Liberia seeks to rebuild its labour governance system, the international community, particularly the International Labour Organization (ILO), continues to remind member states that protecting whistleblowers and enforcing decent work standards are integral to sustainable development. For now, however, advocates like George S. Tengbeh must continue their fight under fear, hoping that the system they defend will not abandon them.
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