By: Julius Konton
The Ministry of Labor has pledged its renewed commitment to the protection of the rights of Liberian workers.
Speaking at the 6th collective bargaining agreement signing ceremony between ArcelorMittal Liberia and the United Workers Union in Grand Bassa County, Assistant Labor Minister Emmanuel Barnes said the government through the Labor ministry continues to put in place workable measures to seek the welfare and protection of Liberian workforce across the Country.
He stressed that while it is important to protect workers, it is also equally significant to safeguard the investment of partners who have come to do business in the country.
Representing the Minister of Labor, Cllr. Cooper Kruah at the sigining ceremony, Mr. Barnes used the ocassion to also encourage the Management of AML to conform to the terms and conditions of the CBA.
He at the same time urged the company to minimize the proliferation of sub-contractors.
According to him such when done will help
vast majority of the workers who are contractors to subsequently be converted to full time employees; thereby, enabling them to benefit from the new CBA.
As an assistant Minister who advocates for all and is fully aware of the sector and the activities over the period, Assistant Minister Barnes was also hasten to warn the employees against raising imaginary claims outside of those agreed terms of the CBA.
This he emphasized is unprofessional and should be discouraged.
Barnes is of the conviction that the both parties will adhered to the CBA for the betterment of the sector and the country in general.
CBA over the period has been a strong instrument serving as a tool for both management and employees to work with intended to ensure best practices and compliance in a fair Labor sector and or environment.
However, full implementation as well as violations from either party over the period in the sector has been a serious challenge but the Assistant Labor Minister Emmanuel Barnes is confident that said issue is being looked at critically as the Ministry of labor is working harder to improve the working conditions and environment of the people in order to reduce if not eradicate such old age practices.
In the wake of high unemployment rate actors the Country, the government through the Ministry of Labor has reassured the public of protecting the rights and welfare of Liberian workers while working harder to create more job opportunities for its people.
