Leaving Liberia’s Informal Workers Vulnerable
Reported by: Prince Saah
Monrovia, Liberia – Thousands of Liberian workers who power the country’s informal economy remain exposed to exploitation, weak legal protection, unsafe working conditions and limited access to justice, according to two newly launched reports that are urging urgent reforms to strengthen labour rights across the sector.
The reports, which were released on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in cooperation with the Ministries of Justice and Labour, show serious weaknesses in Liberia’s institutional and legal framework that have an impact on workers in the informal economy, which employs the majority of the workforce and makes a substantial contribution to the country’s economic growth.
Leekor Dymacole Williams, OHCHR Human Rights Officer, introduced the reports at One UN House in Monrovia. He stated that the studies were commissioned following years of interaction with government agencies, labour unions, and civil society organisations, which brought to light enduring concerns regarding the lack of protection for informal workers.
“We are seeing a lot of gaps when it comes to the protection of people in the informal sector. Most of the people working in Liberia are in the informal sector. They contribute significantly to the country’s development, and they should not be forgotten,” she narrated.
She added that the first report offers a thorough legal review of Liberia’s labour laws and policy framework, looking at how the country’s current laws safeguard workers who operate outside of the official sector. Additionally, according to Madam Williams, the second research evaluates the actual working conditions, economic reality, and labour rights awareness of Grand Cape Mount County workers, with an emphasis on small-scale traders, artisanal miners, and fishermen.
Christian Mukosa, Executive Director of OHCHR, stated that the legal study revealed areas where new legislation or regulatory reforms may be required to guarantee broader and more effective protection for vulnerable workers and found flaws in the application of current labour laws. According to Mukosa, the reports are meant to inform policymakers as well as act as advocacy tools that enable workers to comprehend and assert their rights while motivating government agencies to strengthen safeguards for one of Liberia’s biggest and most economically important labour sectors.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, Atty. Edrick F. Noah, Assistant Justice Minister for Administration and Public Safety, called the reports a vital addition to Liberia’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. “These reports are timely and significant because they highlight the realities and challenges faced by workers in the informal economy, identify legal and institutional gaps, and strengthen efforts to protect labour rights,” the minister said.
He also reiterated the government’s commitment to guaranteeing that all workers, including those in the unorganized sector, have access to legal protection and justice. “Access to justice is a fundamental pillar of inclusion, protection and equal participation in society and must remain accessible to all persons, particularly vulnerable and marginalized groups,” Atty. Noah added.
For his part, the president for the newly established Federation of Workers in the Informal Economy, Elvis A. Tamba, welcomed the findings, noting that the federation was formed to provide a unified voice for workers often overlooked in national policymaking. According to Tamba, the federation currently unites more than 20 associations and organisations that represent informal workers throughout Liberia and collaborates with regional and global partners, such as the International Labour Organization, to promote the rights and safeguards of workers.
The reports are expected to be reviewed by the Ministry of Labour, which will determine how the recommendations can be incorporated into future labour policy reforms. Among the key recommendations contained in the reports are calls for the government to develop regulations and codes of good practice under the Decent Work Act, adopt regulations governing child labor, review provisions relating to children’s engagement in work, and strengthen legal protections for workers operating in the informal economy.
The reports also urge labour unions and worker organizations to intensify efforts to organize informal workers, strengthen their capacity to advocate for their rights and push for legislative reforms that address long-standing vulnerabilities.
