Press Release 

The Workers Association of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has reinforced its earlier decision expressing a vote of no confidence in their Director Generalship of Madam Emma Metieh Glassco. On May 6, 2024, the association held a press conference at its office in Bushrod Island, calling for the removal of Director General Emma Metieh Glassco, a gathering which later witnessed disruption by officers of the Liberia National Police on the orders of Madam Glassco. 

The decision to express a vote of no confidence arises due to consistent violations of the Human Resource Manual of NaFAA, the Fisheries Management Law of 2019, the National Code of Conduct for Public Officials, and the Decent Work Act of Liberia 2015.

The leadership of the NaFAA boss since 2018 up to date is characterized by constant unwelcome workplace harassment of staff, deduction of staff salary without remitting to NASSCORP, seizing seagoing fishery observers insurance allowance benefits, unreasonable administrative sanctions, undue denial of staff for capacity building training, refusal to pay employee’s wages, unplanned job change, assigning task beyond a person skill, intimidation using repeated threat of dismissal, and salary disparity immensely influenced by political affiliation. 

These actions of Madam Glassco constitute a gross violation of Section 2.7 of NaFAA Human Resource Manual. Moreover, termination of employees on study leave, which is against Section 6.6 of the same HR Manual, highlights a serious violation, as it mandates full salary payment for the first 6 months and half salary thereafter. 

Madam Glassco’s refusal to appoint the Fisheries Advisory Council, as required by Section 3.3 of the Fisheries Management Law, indicates an intent to monopolize Liberia’s fishery resources. Furthermore, the unauthorized extension of permits for three Spain-Senegalese shrimp fishing vessels in the EEZ from six months to two years, without adequate oversight, breaches Section 10.24 of the Fisheries Management Law.

This illegal operation degrades the marine environment, violates international agreements (including the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), and has caused a significant decline in artisanal catch rates. It also damages Liberia’s relationships with fisheries development partners, leading to the cessation of crucial training and sustainable programs.

The Workers Association calls on the Board of NaFAA and the Office of the President to address these concerns promptly and transparently. For the stability and effectiveness of NaFAA’s operations, it is vital that this issue is resolved swiftly and justly. The resolution for this vote of no confidence has been communicated to the chairman and all members of the board of NaFAA, the Office of the President, the House’s committee on Fisheries, Minister of Labor, and all relevant authorities since May 2, 2024 and no redress.

A smoothly functioning fisheries sector is crucial for our nation’s prosperity. We urge all stakeholders, including the Fisheries Committees of the Legislature, the Judiciary, civil society, international partners, and concerned individuals, to ensure NaFAA operates with integrity and accountability.

We reiterate our vote of no confidence in Madam Emma Metieh Glassco’s leadership and demand intervention from the board and the President’s Office to resolve this matter satisfactorily.