By Julius Konton
In a bid to bridge the gap between academic theory and national labor realities, Liberia’s Assistant Minister for Planning and Manpower Development at the Ministry of Labor, Emmanuel Barnes, delivered a guest lecture to students of Stella Maris Polytechnic on Tuesday.
The one-day lecture, held at the invitation of Lecturer Samuel K. Ekyinabah, focused on key elements of Liberia’s labor policy and the country’s ongoing struggle with unemployment particularly among qualified young professionals.
Speaking after the session, Assistant Minister Barnes described the atmosphere as “ecstatic” and praised the students for their active engagement during the discussion.
“We discussed in depth Chapters 13 and 14 of the Decent Work Act of 2015, which focus on employment and termination of employment,” said Barnes. “These two areas are central to the challenges faced daily by the Ministry and by Liberians across the workforce.”
The lecture is part of a broader initiative by the Ministry of Labor to raise awareness of labor laws and empower young people with knowledge that can aid their entry into the job market.
Liberia continues to face high unemployment, with many qualified youth struggling to find sustainable work.
