Habesha Cement S.C., one of the cement manufacturers in Ethiopia, has resumed production after suspending it for days due to security threats.

The production plant suspended its operation after its employees demanded permanent jobs and occupied the factory. The young workers requested permanent jobs or to be put on the company’s pay roll. It was only after the Oromia Police intervened that the youth calm down.

Following the protest, the executive management team of Habesha Cement, Woreda and Zonal Administration officials held a meeting on November 3, 2017.

“We have explained the situation to the local administration. We have clearly indicated that we do not have permanent jobs that we can offer for the youth at the moment. Our factory always gives priority to the local community,” Mesfin Abi, CEO of Habesha Cement, explained.

It was young protestors that work on trucks that transport cement, with no relationship to the plant, that staged the protest, Mesfin said. “We have told them that we cannot pay them anything as they should deal with the truck owners. They can keep working with the trucks but we do not have jobs to offer them.”

“The local administration understood our position and assured us that we can resume production. The Woreda and Zonal administrations as well as the local police were very supportive. We do not have problem with the local community,” Mesfin added.

Habesha’s officials claim that their company has been engaged in community development projects and has a strong affirmative recruitment policy which gives priority to local communities.

Source: The Reporter