ARCELORMITTAL: STOP NEGLECTING THE DISABLED VICTIMS OF YOUR TRAIN AND MINING ACCIDENTS

 

On January 11, 2022, a tragic rail accident in Nimba County, Liberia left six ArcelorMittal workers severely injured, with at least two succumbing to their wounds. It took six hours to dispatch a team to accident site which led to unfavorable outcomes of victims. While senior staff were evacuated to Ivory Coast for advanced medical care, many survivors now permanently disabled have been abandoned, struggling without compensation or support. These individuals, who gave their labor and health to ArcelorMittal, now face extreme hardship, unable to afford proper housing, daily meals, or medical treatment. Their suffering is exacerbated by the fact that many of their children have been forced to drop out of school, unable to afford tuition, and their families have been pushed deeper into poverty.

Despite these devastating injuries and losses, ArcelorMittal continues to evade accountability, leaving victims and families without justice or compensation. Rather than addressing their needs and negotiating fair settlements, the company has reportedly directed resources toward legal strategies aimed at obstructing justice and silencing claims. Instead of investing in rehabilitating the injured, ensuring families receive financial assistance, and fostering a system that values human life, ArcelorMittal prioritizes shielding itself from liability. This deliberate neglect has created a crisis where those who once contributed to the company's success are now left helpless, forgotten, and cast aside as disposable assets.

To make matters worse, the Liberian government has remained silent, failing to intervene or demand accountability. Officials entrusted with safeguarding the rights of citizens have instead turned a blind eye likely influenced by bribery and conflicts of interest. The absence of government action speaks to a larger systemic failure, where victims seeking justice are ignored, and corporations like ArcelorMittal operate unchecked. Without intervention, the cycle of corporate exploitation and abandonment will only continue, leading to more suffering, more lost lives, and more families plunged into despair.

This is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing trend of corporate negligence, where profits are prioritized over people, and victims are treated as collateral damage. Immediate action is needed to reverse this injustice. ArcelorMittal must be held accountable, forced to compensate its disabled workers, support affected families, and implement better safety measures to prevent future tragedies. Liberia’s government must also take firm action, ensuring that victims are heard, compensated, and protected from further exploitation. If these abuses are not addressed, more lives will be lost, and Liberia’s workers and communities will continue to suffer in silence while ArcelorMittal expands its empire unchecked.