NPA, dock workers sign long-delayed labor agreement

Published: December 11, 2025

MONROVIA – The National Port Authority (NPA) has signed a long-awaited Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Dock Workers Union of Liberia (DOWUL) and the Liberia Labour Congress, ending a decade-long delay that left hundreds of port workers without updated benefits or strengthened labor protections.

In a statement issued Wednesday, December 10, the NPA said the signing ceremony at its corporate headquarters sparked relief and celebration among employees who have been advocating for a revised agreement since the last CBA expired ten years ago.

The event brought together Board Chairman Rev. Dr. J. Luther Tarpeh, Managing Director Sekou A.M. Dukuly, Deputy Managing Directors James R. Bernard and Emmanuel Horton, and DOWUL President General Jerry Gaye. According to the NPA, the parties’ cooperation “produced one of the most significant labor agreements in the Authority’s history.”

The new CBA introduces several long-demanded reforms aimed at strengthening worker protections and aligning all labor actions with both the NPA Employee Handbook and Liberia’s Decent Work Act. Under the agreement, workers will receive a 10 percent salary increment along with a non-taxable US$50 monthly food allowance. The document also provides life and medical insurance coverage for every employee, and establishes a death benefit that keeps a deceased staff member on payroll for 24 months—a measure the NPA says is intended to protect vulnerable families.

The agreement further stipulates that promotions and salary adjustments must now be based strictly on performance, operational needs, and Board-approved budgets, creating a more transparent and predictable framework for career advancement.

Managing Director Dukuly described the signing as a milestone moment that underscores the Authority’s commitment to fairness, accountability and worker welfare. He said the agreement lays the foundation for stronger labor-management cooperation and more efficient port operations.

Board Chairman Dr. Tarpeh praised the union leadership for its patience and constructive engagement throughout the negotiation process. He reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to maintaining stable labor relations and ensuring the agreement is fully implemented.

The NPA says the new CBA represents a key pillar of its RESET Agenda, which seeks to modernize port operations and restore public trust in the institution. The Authority emphasized that the agreement is expected to boost worker morale, strengthen institutional governance, and enhance productivity across Liberia’s ports.