Published: January 22, 2025
MONROVIA – The Minister of Labour, Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah, Sr., has emphasized the need to prioritize employment for all segments of the population, particularly the youth, as a means of addressing the country’s high unemployment rate.
Speaking at the inaugural stakeholders’ meeting of the National Employment Steering Committee, held today at the Ministry of Labour in Monrovia, Minister Kruah highlighted that a significant portion of the unemployed is trapped in informal employment. This sector, he noted, is characterized by insecurity, low income, poverty, and a lack of access to basic needs.
The Minister underscored that transforming the informal sector into a formal one and creating opportunities for new entrants into the labor market would require a collaborative effort. He stated, “A tripartite approach involving the government, private sector, and donor institutions is crucial since employment is a cross-cutting issue across all sectors.”
Minister Kruah further pointed out the Ministry of Labour’s contribution to the “ARREST Agenda,” which underscores the need to review and revalidate the National Employment Policy. He explained that this updated policy would focus on strategies developed by the government, private sector, and donor institutions to address the acute unemployment challenges in Liberia.
He also called on stakeholders to support the revision of the employment policy under the current political administration. This, he believes, would facilitate the creation of more employment opportunities nationwide and enhance the Ministry’s productivity.
The Labour Minister reaffirmed employment promotion as one of the Ministry’s primary objectives, stressing its importance for national development. “Revising this policy and ensuring its full implementation is essential to achieving our goals and boosting the productivity of the Ministry,” he added.
According to the meeting’s organizers, the outcomes of the discussions will be pivotal in re-establishing the National Employment Council, the highest decision-making body on employment in Liberia. Additionally, the meeting will lead to the re-establishment of the Technical Committee, which includes representatives from focal persons of line ministries and agencies, as well as the Secretariat. It will also outline the way forward for rolling out the new Employment Policy and Action Plan.
The event was attended by representatives from various government ministries, agencies, and partner organizations.
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