Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) - Liberia (Ratification: 1962)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments.

Repetition

The Committee notes that the Bill on Decent Work which has been under discussion for several years has been adopted by the legislative authorities and will enter into force once it has been promulgated by the President of the Republic.

Articles 1, 2 and 4 of the Convention. Protection against anti-union discrimination and acts of interference. Promotion of collective bargaining. The Committee recalls that for many years it has been commenting on the need to adopt legal provisions guaranteeing:

• – adequate protection against anti-union discrimination at the time of recruitment and during the employment relationship, accompanied by sufficiently effective and dissuasive sanctions;
• – adequate protection for workers’ organizations against acts of interference by employers and their organizations, including sufficiently effective and dissuasive sanctions; and
• – the right to collective bargaining for employees in State-owned enterprises and public officials who are not engaged in the administration of the State.

The Committee trusts that the Bill on Decent Work will enter into force in the very near future and that its content takes into account all the matters raised by the Committee, as indicated by the Government in its last report. The Committee requests the Government to report any developments in this respect.

Article 6. Public officials not engaged in the administration of the State. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that the legislation guaranteeing the right of collective bargaining of public servants and employees in State enterprises (Ordinance on the public service) was currently under revision with the technical assistance of the Office. The Committee trusts that the current legislative process will make it possible to give full effect to the Convention in relation to public officials not engaged in the administration of the State and it requests the Government to report any developments in this regard.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.