ILO to support Liberia’s Labour Force Survey and Social Protection Projects

Liberia (ILO News) - The Director of ILO Country Office, Abuja, Mr Dennis Zulu reaffirmed the commitment of the ILO in supporting the conduct of Labour Force Survey, the implementation of a Social Protection Programme and the convening of a national dialogue on the Future of Work Initiative in Liberia.

The ILO Director stated this on 11 July 2016 during a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Administration, Ministry of Labour, Honourable Augustine W. Williams and other officials of the Ministry.

ILO would soon provide a technical specialist to support the consultation phase of the Labour Force Survey with funds secured for the project, Zulu said.

Supporting efforts to build and strengthen the capacities on Social Protection would also be part of ILO’s commitment, the Director underscored.

Mr Zulu stated that a high level meeting on the Future of Work Initiative would also be held in Liberia in September 2016 during which the constituents are expected to articulate their views on the subject.

Deputy Minister of Administration, Ministry of Labour, Hon. Augustine W. Williams and Deputy Labour Minister for Manpower Planning and Human Resource Development, Hon. Patrick M’bayo, stressed the need for technical support from the ILO to ensure the success of the Labour Force Survey, “which is key to the commencement of the Labour Force Survey”. Liberian officials also emphasized the need for technical assistance in the area of monitoring and evaluation.

In his contribution, the Assistant Minister for Statistics and Research, Mr. Richard Ngafuan highlighted the urgency of having a technical staff of the ILO, who is versed with the recent methodological changes of the 19th Conference of Labour Statisticians, to work with his office; as the commencement of the entire project rests upon this.

The ILO Director also held a meeting with Honourable Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Hon. Julia Duncan Cassell. He briefed the Minister on the New Social Protection Project during which the meeting identified areas of priority for the Social Protection Project as well as further areas of collaboration with the ILO in future. The Minister requested the ILO to support in building capacity of the ministry officials. She also requested the ILO to support in the development of a database that will provide information on all social protection intervention in the country.

The ILO Director also held meetings with Liberia Labour Congress, Liberia Chamber of Commerce and Resident Coordinator a.i. and UNDP Resident Representative in Liberia. At the meeting with Liberia Labour Congress and Liberia Chamber of Commerce, the Director discussed the new project on Social Protection and got feedback from the social partners on their priority areas for assistance.

During the consultative meeting with the Resident Coordinator a.i. and UNDP Resident Representative in Liberia, the ILO was assured of the UNCT’s support in Liberia to effectively partner with the ILO to ensure the success of the Social Protection Project as well other areas where collaboration was required.