DECENT WORK FOR ALL WORKERS IN LIBERIA

The Liberia Labor Congress October 7th 2008 Decent work activities organized in selected sectors where exploitation, abuse of workers rights, labour injustice, wrongful dismissal of workers desiring of joining a trade union.

Considering that Liberia has gone through a decade and half years of civil war and conflict which has left its negative effect on the economy with a long term impact of enormous consequences that left over 270,000 people dead, massive displacements and refugee waves. Presently, unemployment is at 80% of the country 3.5 million population who live below poverty line of USD 1 per day. Basic services such as Health, education, food, water and decent work employment are virtually inaccessible to most Liberians.

Following the inauguration of the current government of Liberia on January 16, 2006, the government of President Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is to address the enormous challenges facing Liberia prompted her to prepare an interim Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) establishing the Country Decent Work Program alongside her government’s undertake of labor reform.

The Liberia Labour Congress is aware of the declarations on livelihoods, employment, conditions of work, which the war deteriorated, and which workers and their trade unions couple with the re-surfacing of multi-national corporations in Liberia. Labor market bringing with them their strategy of globalization on the already suffering workers and trade unions of Liberia.

It is against this background that the Liberia Federation of Labour Unions, LFLU and the Congress of National Trade Unions of Liberia, CONATUL merged on May 22, 2008 to form the Liberia Labour Congress, now the only Labour Federation in Liberia to uphold the dignity of labour, maintaining the labour center that will guarantee the protection and promotion of the rights and duties of labour. A center which will decide its own policy and action, independent of external control or domination that will serve as a counter weight to social partners.

The establishment of the tripartite committee involving trade unions for first time is an indication that the Dying Wage, which was introduced and backed by the National Government, is being fought back. Civil servant workers are not allowed to join industrial unions, (this provision is by law) and the government’s dying wage for civil servant workers of USD 70.00 per month, considering that a bag of rice is sold for USD 50.00 is clearly stating that working people in Liberia and particularly government’s employees are living below poverty line which does the decent work agenda represents.

Strategies

Materials

In order to successfully participate in the decent work day program the following activities must be considered.

Letters

• Letters to industries and the government urging them to participate and honor the celebration of decent work day in Liberia come October 7, 2008. It will also be noted in these communications the concept of the ILO decent work agenda.
• Separate letters will be sent to our international partners seeking solidarity supports.
• Printing of materials such flyers, newsletter, billboards, campaigning and mobilization materials including union activities will be publicly displayed, as a means of public awareness.

Press Conference, Radio and Television Talk Show Media outreach, on six national radio and two television stations talk shows involving the tripartite body, holding of meeting, rally, drama and songs explaining the decent work concept.

High Priority-Selected Sectors

A Concept Documentary is being prepared by the Liberia Labour Congress International Department including collaborating partners (NGOs) among others targeting particularly the lusted institutions.

The Concept Documentary will capture the topic and copies of which will be sent to our government, companies and international partners for joint solidarity.

• Occupational Health and safety
• CBA and ILO core convention
• Child Labour-(Say no to Child Labour)
• Convention 87 and 98
• PRS- Country program
• HIV/AIDS
• Maritime convention, at least include Liberia Seafarer as Training on each of the 2,290 ships flying Liberian flags.
• Government violation and interfering in Trade Union activities
• Campaigning against Dying Wage
• Decent Work Concept
• Tripartite Body and Decent Work
• Labour Reform and Social Partner
• Civil Servant Workers –Say No To Dying Wage

Companies and Institutions Targeted

• Firestone Plantation Company
• Achelor Mittal- mining Company- (Mittal Steel Co)
• Government of Liberia
• Informal sectors Coordinating Committee
• West Africa Internet Providers company
• Maritime Commission
• World Liberia Cultural Union

Implementing Organization

• Liberia labour Congress and its affiliates
• Global Vision for Democracy, Reconciliation, Development and peace
• Liberia Informal Sectors Coordinating Committee
• Others to come later.