Monrovia – On Monday, November 19, President George Manneh Weah told a gathering at the Liberia National Labor Conference in Monrovia that the problems affecting the labor sector is as a result of the failure of stakeholders to reconcile their differences.
Report by Willie N. Tokpah 00231777039231 [email protected]
“There is an urgency to reconcile the differences between provisions, coverage and inclusion of the Decent Work Act and those of the Civil Service Standing Order. It is therefore my wish that this Labor Conference will produce a conducive atmosphere for all stakeholders including lawmakers, members of the Judiciary, international partners and the Labor leadership of Liberia,” President Weah said.
The Liberia leader was speaking at a symposium organized by the Ministry of Labor intended to improve labor laws deem unsuitable for the country’s workforce.
According to the Liberian leader, the situation is resulting to dispute between employers and employees, which is sometimes difficult to be addressed by the Ministry.
President Weah then cautioned actors of the Labor sector to take keen interest in providing equal protection for employees of the public and private sectors.
“I also hope that your deliberation would result to the provision of equal protection of workers in both the public and private sectors of the Liberian workforce,” he said.
The President called for constructive discussion on the Labor Law in order to harmonize inconsistencies currently being experienced between employees and employers.
President Weah also warned disenchanted workers against using protest as an option to finding redress to their plights, suggesting to them constructive dialogue.
The conference comes as some dismissed employees of ArcelorMittal Liberia based in Nimba County expressed dismay over what they are terming as delay in finding a redress to their grievance put forth before the Ministry of Labor.
“While we have the Labor conference here and people are pushing the Decent Work Act. I think it’s important for the Public to know what is unfolding within the sector.
We are over 30 persons from ArcelorMittal who have been dismissed by the company and up to date, redress to this matter has been delayed due to the refusal of the Labor Union leadership and the United Workers Union of Liberia to show interest to our plight,” said Marvin Smith, Spokesperson of the dismissed employees.
A document in the possession of FrontPageAfrica shows a communication to Mr. Smith terminating his status with the company on August 30, 2018.
Reads the communication: “Section 14.3 of the Decent Work Act, 2015 grant an employer the right to immediately terminate the contract of employment of an employee for grave misconduct which makes it impossible to continue or resume the necessary relationship of mutual trust and conference. In view of the above, we are constraint to terminate your employment, and by this letter, hereby terminate your employment with ArcelorMittal.”
However, Mr. Smith said the dismissed employees have been peacefully engaging relevant authorities on the matter but they are going out of patient due to the delays in finding a redress to their concerns.
He said although the matter is currently before the Hearing Officer of Ministry of Labor, the leadership of the Labor sector is showing limited interest but is rather seeking to put their personal interest first.
Smith termed as “unfair” that over 30 employees would be dismissed for advocating for their leave benefits.
“Section 14.8 of the Decent Work Act speaks against employees being dismissed for advocating for their rights and we cannot be treated in such a manner for staging a go-slow action for our right,” Smith said.
He expressed fear that the conference may not bring forth the desired remedy to workers’ challenges in the country, because “bad labor practices’ are already prevalent.
“Today, we are here discussing all these good things, but right afterward, these same people will turn their backs to what is being discussed, because they only intend to satisfy their own interests,” he charged.
At the same time, Labor Minister Moses Kollie has admitted that an assessment conducted shows several deficits in the labor sector, which the conference intends to address.
These deficits, according to Minister Kollie, range from unemployment, working condition, incentives and benefits among others.
While these issues remain unresolved, he emphasized the need that regional and international labor organizations work in line with the Ministry to harmonize inconsistent labor laws that affect the workforce.
Meanwhile, Minister Kollie wants a revision of policies that will address issues affecting trafficking in persons and other crucial labor issues.