Matutine Cement Plant
| This article is part of the Global Cement and Concrete Tracker, a project of Global Energy Monitor. |
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Background
Displacement
In 2011 when the plans for the cement plant were released, residents and an environmental group expressed concern over the displacement of 232 households, who were supposed to be given $62 to relocate away from their livelihoods and burial grounds[1]. The new homes families were relocated to are unable to fit every family member comfortably as it was originally for foreign workers[1]. The water source for the community is controlled by Dugongo who only fills it up once a month but it only typically lasts for a week[1]. The company was also required to undergo social and environmental assessments but no evidence of this was found to have happened[1].
Labor Rights
Workers experienced inhumane working conditions during the 2020 Covid lockdown, when the company used the pandemic to exploit them[1]. A local news report even highlighted that the country never truly shutdown, implying that the lockdown was just to get profits up after a delayed start up[1]. About 300 workers were trapped inside the plant unable to get out to see their family and if they did, they would be fired[1]. For a 12 hour day, employees are paid $3-$4 with no break included unless they worked an extra hour[1].
