Executive Council Statement
2007 George Meany-Lane Kirkland Human Rights Award: Firestone Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia (Fawul)
… courage, strength and solidarity of Liberian rubber workers at one of the world’s largest rubber plantations, we are proud to nominate the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia (FAWUL) for the 2007 George Meany-Lane Kirkland Human Rights … on pittances were living without pay and rice subsidies. The commitment of the workers to freedom of association and the right to organize was strong, and they remained unified in their actions. The living and working conditions at the plantation are brutal, with management routinely violating basic trade union rights. Rubber tappers work 14-hour days to meet impossible production quotas, which require them to tap 750 rubber trees and to accumulate 150 …