Monrovia, Liberia – Labor Minister Counselor Cooper Kruah has stated that the ministry is eager to collaborate with the US Solidarity Center in the battle against workplace discrimination and gender-based violence against women.
In order to assist put a stop to these activities, he stated that the Ministry of Labor is ready to go on tours with the Solidarity Center in areas of Liberia where there are allegedly abuses against women workers.
Minister Kruah made these assertions when a delegation of the Solidarity Center and United States Department of Labour paid him a courtesy call at his office in Monrovia.
Minister Kruah continued by emphasizing the critical necessity for training Ministry of Labour Commissioners, Hearing Officers, and Inspectors in order to expand their legal knowledge and better handle these concerns. In addition, the labor minister stated that his government was ready to collaborate with the Center to ratify and domesticate international labor conventions meant to advance decent employment in Liberia.
Labour Minister Kruah was informed by Madam Daddeh Tulay, Country Program Director of Solidarity Center, that her organization has been collaborating with Liberian workers and unions for more than ten years to combat workplace discrimination and advance decent employment.
She claimed that her group has been helping the unions in Liberia with organizing, leadership, and fundamental trade union training. They have also been conducting research for Collective Bargain Agreements (CBAs) on their behalf.
According to her, Solidarity has also aided in the development of autonomous labor unions and promoted women’s involvement in workplace activities.
Minister Kruah was briefed by the Solidarity Center Country Director about the US Department of Labor-sponsored project, which is presently taking place in Liberia and Nigeria.
According to her, unions in the extractive, mining, and agricultural sectors are concentrated in five counties in Liberia: Bong, Montserrado, Nimba, Cape Mount, and Grand Bassa.
She listed the following unions as partners in the effort to increase awareness of gender-based violence in the workplace and ILO Convention 190: Firestone Agriculture Workers Union of Liberia (FAWUL), United Workers Union of Liberia (UWUL), and General Agriculture and Allied Workers Union of Liberia (GAAWUL).
Reported by: Augustine Octavius
Contact: +231777463963
Email: augustineoctavius@gmail.com
