Monrovia – A high-level delegation from the International Labour Organization (ILO) Regional Office for English-Speaking West Africa is in Liberia to re-engage with members of the Tripartite Council on the implementation of key labour programs and projects that were previously stalled due to internal divisions within the Liberia Labour Congress (LLC).
The delegation welcomed the recent reconciliation among parties within the LLC, noting that the renewed unity creates a conducive environment for the ILO to collaborate effectively with all constituents of the tripartite structure government, employers and workers.
The delegation emphasized the importance of social dialogue as a critical tool for advancing inclusive and sustainable labour initiatives in Liberia.
Speaking during the engagement, the Head of Delegation, Madam Innolata Aninyangarar, commended Labour Minister Cooper W. Kruah Sr. for his timely intervention in resolving the dispute within the LLC.
She noted that the mission aims to introduce a new ILO-supported project in Liberia and to strengthen engagement with key social partners, including workers’ organizations, employers, government representatives and development partners.
Madam Aninyangarar further disclosed that the ILO is committed to supporting Liberia in developing a roadmap for the implementation of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), which is already operational in countries such as Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
She attributed the delay in Liberia’s rollout to the earlier leadership crisis within the LLC.
The DWCP is a four- to six-year strategic framework focused on three priority areas: strengthening social dialogue, improving employment outcomes, and developing a comprehensive national employment policy.
Additionally, the ILO’s new project support to Liberia will prioritize technical and vocational education and training (TVET), employment promotion, social dialogue, and the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
In response, Labour Minister Kruah welcomed the ILO delegation and highlighted the proactive role played by the Ministry of Labour in facilitating reconciliation among the aggrieved parties of the LLC.
He assured the delegation of Liberia’s readiness to fully participate in international labour engagements.
The Minister further reaffirmed the preparedness of Liberia’s Tripartite Delegation—comprising representatives from the LLC, the Liberia Chamber of Commerce (LCC) and the Government of Liberia (GoL) through the Ministry of Labour—to attend the upcoming International Labour Conference in Geneva next month.
Minister Kruah underscored the importance of safeguarding workers’ rights across both public and private sectors.
He noted that while the Decent Work Act guarantees private sector workers the right to unionize, public sector employees are guided by the Civil Service Standing Orders, which also provide for the formation of associations and ensure key protections.
The Labour Minister concluded by emphasizing that harmonizing Liberia’s labour laws including the Decent Work Act and the Civil Service Standing Orders are achievable.
However, he stressed that such an effort would require strong intergovernmental collaboration, comprehensive research, and expert technical support to develop a coherent framework capable of guiding effective policy decisions.
