Liberia - 2011

Population: 3,900,000
Capital: Monrovia
The legal framework for trade union activities remains lacking until the labour law is reformed. There are also problems in applying trade union rights in practice, although there were encouraging signs during the year, notably the signing of an agreement with steel giant ArcelorMittal guaranteeing the respect of trade union rights.
ILO Core Conventions Ratified:
29 Forced Labour (1930) 87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise (1948) 98 Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining (1949) 105 Abolition of Forced Labour (1957)

reported violations - 2011

Murders: none reported
Attempted Murders: none reported
Threats: none reported
Injuries: none reported
Arrests: none reported
Imprisonments: none reported
Dismissals: none reported
Documented violations - actual number of cases may be higher

Background

The economy is still in ruins as a result of the civil war, although access to health care and primary education has improved. Corruption is rife and unemployment and illiteracy are endemic. Inadequate police responses to persistent violent incidents and the failure to prosecute civil servants implicated in large-scale embezzlement resulted in increased criticism of the government of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf during the year.
ILO Core Conventions Ratified:
29 Forced Labour (1930) 87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise (1948) 98 Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining (1949) 105 Abolition of Forced Labour (1957)
Population: 3,900,000
Capital: Monrovia

reported violations- 2011

Documented violations - actual number of cases may be higher

Trade union rights in law

Many shortcomings in the labour law exist, although promises of a reform were made by the Labour Minister in 2006. The Constitution guarantees freedom of association freedom of association The right to form and join the trade union of one’s choosing as well as the right of unions to operate freely and carry out their activities without undue interference.

See Guide to the ITUC international trade union rights framework , but employees of state-run enterprises and the civil services cannot form trade unions. In addition, the laws on anti-union discrimination anti-union discrimination Any practice that disadvantages a worker or a group of workers on grounds of their past, current or prospective trade union membership, their legitimate trade union activities, or their use of trade union services. Can constitute dismissal, transfer, demotion, harassment and the like.

See Guide to the ITUC international trade union rights framework

 are deficient, and do neither award sufficient protection against discrimination during recruitment or at work, nor do they protect unions against employer interference. Finally, the government’s Labour Practices Review Board has the right to supervise trade union elections, and workers in state enterprises do not have collective bargaining collective bargaining The process of negotiating mutually acceptable terms and conditions of employment as well as regulating industrial relations between one or more workers’ representatives, trade unions, or trade union centres on the one hand and an employer, a group of employers or one or more employers’ organisations on the other.

See collective bargaining agreement
rights. Legal strikes are once again on the agenda due to a 2006 law that annulled Decree 12 of 1980, which had banned strikes.
Additional information regarding the legislation
ILO Core Conventions Ratified:
29 Forced Labour (1930) 87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise (1948) 98 Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining (1949) 105 Abolition of Forced Labour (1957)
Population: 3,900,000
Capital: Monrovia

reported violations - 2011

Documented violations - actual number of cases may be higher

In practice

Patchy respect of rights, but improvements at major multinationals: The government’s record on including the Labour Congress in tripartite forums has been patchy and it has not managed to prevent big multinational companies from flouting union rights. There were improvements during the year, notably the signing of a historic protocol agreement between ArcelorMittal and the Forestry, Logging and Industrial Workers’ Union of Liberia (FLIWUL) in March. This will guarantee trade union protection once ArcelorMittal begins its mining, rail and export operation in the country. In June, the second collective agreement between Firestone Agricultural Workers’ Union (FAWUL) and Firestone Rubber Plantation was signed.
Social dialogue weak: Social dialogue social dialogue Discussion and co-operation between the social partners on matters of common interest, such as economic and social policy. Involves participation by the state where tripartism is practice. remains weak in general and industrial disputes tend to turn violent, notably on the plantations.
ILO Core Conventions Ratified:
29 Forced Labour (1930) 87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise (1948) 98 Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining (1949) 105 Abolition of Forced Labour (1957)
Population: 3,900,000
Capital: Monrovia

reported violations - 2011

Documented violations - actual number of cases may be higher
ILO Core Conventions Ratified:
29 Forced Labour (1930) 87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise (1948) 98 Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining (1949) 105 Abolition of Forced Labour (1957)
Population: 3,900,000
Capital: Monrovia

reported violations - 2011

Documented violations - actual number of cases may be higher
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