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Stop Firestone
The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company has operated the world’s largest rubber plantation in the world in Harbel, Liberia for over 80 years. Firestone signed a concession agreement with the government of Liberia to lease over one million acres of land in 1926 for 6 cents per acre for a period of 99 years. In 2005, Firestone signed a new 37-year agreement with a transitional government in Liberia to lease the land for 50 cents per acre.
Firestone workers must tap trees in order to extract the latex necessary for making rubber tires. The rubber tappers must meet a daily production quota or their already low wages will be halved. By Firestone Natural Rubber Company CEO Dan Adomitis’ own admission on CNN, it would take over 21 hours to meet the quota. As a result, tappers are forced to bring their children and wives to work. Children are forced to carry two 70 pound buckets of rubber on their shoulders for miles. In addition, tappers and their children must apply toxic pesticides without protection.
Firestone workers live in cramped shacks which have not been renovated since the 1920s and lack electricity, running water and indoor latrines. Meanwhile, Firestone managers have huge houses with all modern conveniences and even golf courses. Educational and health facilities are understaffed and lacking resources and are often located much too far from housing units for workers and their families to access. Additionally, Firestone uses the labor of a large number of subcontractors who are not offered benefits. Historically, Firestone has negotiated with a union that is not democratic or independent from the management. In July 2007, the first free and fair union elections were held in the plantation’s history, but Firestone is currently refusing to meet with the first democratically elected union leadership.
Furthermore, as the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia recently confirmed, Firestone dumps toxic chemicals into local rivers, like the Farmington River, used by the community for bathing and fishing. The pollution has caused serious health problems for communities surrounding the plantation and has killed off some forms of river life. Please visit the Stop Firestone website for more information (www.stopfirestone.org).
We Need Your Help!
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Tell Firestone to Honor the New Contract with Liberian Workers!
Workers on Firestone's rubber plantation in Liberia signed a new collective bargaining agreement with the company. Send an e-mail to Firestone NOW!
Stop Firestone Picture Protest
Join the fight to stop Firestone.Take a picture of yourself with our “Stop” poster, next to a stop sign in your neighborhood or with “Stop Firestone” written on the palm of your hand.
Send a letter to Firestone
Your letter to Bridgestone Firestone president Dan Adomitis will help end Firestone's child labor, exploitation, and environmental destruction in Liberia.
Video
The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company has operated a rubber plantation in Liberia since 1926.
About the Photo
Child on Firestone's rubber plantation in Liberia pouring latex into a larger container.
Credit: Hanh Nguyen
Firestone Workers Sign New Contract!
Workers on Firestone's rubber plantation in Liberia signed a new collective bargaining agreement with the company. Send an e-mail to Firestone NOW!
New Report on Firestone's Labor Abuses!
A new report detailing widespread abuse of labor rights and the environment on Firestone's rubber plantation in Liberia was launched by the Save My Future Foundation on July 18th. Check out the press release here.
Firestone Needs to Hear from You
Firestone workers need your solidarity! Send an e-mail now! Find out more about the situation facing the union here!