Press release
Geneva – February 25, 2024
Post-strike, Five Star Mills’ management declared no wage increases, allowances, or grants would be honored. The scheduled meeting with company owner Haj Mohammed Al-Mu’tabar was indefinitely postponed, citing insufficient funds due to an export order. Workers responded by asserting their legal right to rest hours and reducing production, threatening to delay fines on a crucial order bound for Yemen.
On February 8, 2024, workers concluded their strike as management rescinded arbitrary decisions, including suspensions and accusations against worker leaders. A meeting with 11 worker representatives resulted in the withdrawal of powers from the packaging department head and the exclusion of the executive director. Tensions rose due to management’s disregard for demands, threatening dismissal for rejecting non-compliant contracts.
Management failed to fulfill commitments despite agreements to pay salaries on time, reinstate allowances and grants, and establish a needed disbursement date. A meeting with company owner Mohammed Al-Mu’tabar to approve internal regulations has yet to occur.
CFJ expresses full solidarity with Five Star Mills employees, asserting the inherent human right to strike for legitimate demands. The committee deems the management’s retreat unjustified and blames the Ministry of Labor for failing to support striking workers’ interests over business concerns.
CFJ calls for accountability and adherence to agreements, highlighting the importance of protecting workers’ rights in the face of management backtracking.