LIBERIA LABOUR CONGRESS SUMMARY ACTIVITIES REPORT THREE(3) SECTIONS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AND HIV/AIDS PRESENTED BY ABRAHAM DUGBE NIMENE DEPUTY DIRECTOR/WORKERS EDUCATION LIBERIA LABOUR CONGRESS
Introduction BRIEF INFORMATION ON Liberia. This report present current challenges and the initiative TAKEN THROUGH VARIOUS INTERVENTIONS TO THESE FOCUS SECTORS,NAMELY:THE GENERAL AGRICULTURE SECTOR, CURRENT AND NEWLY EMERGING INDUSTRIALS INCLUDING THE GENERAL AUTO SECTOR. THE ROLE OF NATIONAL UNIONS TO COMBAT THESE CHALLENGES THROUGH CBA AND OTHER COLLABORATING PARTNERS ON WORKPLACE SENSITATION AND OTHER PUBLIC AWARDNESS ACTIVITIES.
BRIEF INFORMATION ON LIBERIA Liberia is a small country located in west Africa(43,000 sq mile).the population stand at 3.5 million people. The country is situated on the west by Sierra Leone,the east by Ivory Coast and in the north by Guinea and the south by the Atlantic Ocean. The country was declared independence July 26,1847 and practice a republican form of government. Liberia is very rich in iron ore, diamond, gold, natural rubber, timber,coco,coffee and now natural gas. Liberia has dual currency that is inter exchange on the local market both USD And LD with current gross domestic product at 5.1 % The country just concluded its second back to back General and Presidential Elections with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf emerging as President for her last and final second term after the end of 14 years conflict which officially ended 2003 after a comprehensive peace agreement that was signed in Ghana by former warrant factions. Some major reconstruction are ongoing. completion of past Presidential Administration projects. Oil exploration and discovery which is a new found asset is a major political debate throughout the country. The
National Legislators is calling for the renegotiation of all the Oil contracts entered into by the National Oil Company of Liberia The country is experiencing some fluctuation with some basic commodities prices not commensurable with the people disposal and discretional income. Corruption is a major challenge among officials of government since 2005 under the current leadership of Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Ellen. However, the government is making tremendous effort in upholding the rule of law, free speech and creating an enabling environment for the social, political and economic development of the country. The creation of an Anti-Corruption Commission which is an independence institution are effort made by government to confront the challenge of corruption in the public sector.
THEIR SHOULDER APPROXIMATELY 150IB BUCKET OF LATEX. THE ORGANIZED PLANTATION WORKERS ARE ALSO CONFRONTED WITH THESE SITUATION AND INSURANCE COVERAGE AND RESPOND TO VICTIM IS ANOTHER UPHILL STRUGGLE.
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY MANO MANUFACTORY COMPANY This factory is the producer of chloral, soup and other utensil through chemical supplements. Despite these processes contain harmful substances at the workplace, the situation in terms of Occupational health and safety is being executed by Management on a segregation policy. Disparities exist between Management and ordinary workers on the provision of safety equipment. The company lacks in practice administrative supervision on OSH. The company does not have any capacity to deal with issue of emergencies during production hazards non does it have any plan for the development of risk assessment response.
SIGMA GROUP OF COMPANY This company is heavily engaged into construction activities and has a workforce of 570,with 18% of the total workforce being women. OSH activities in Sigma is appalling despite CBA with the Union. Workers in this industry often complaint and suffer from dust related diseases from the sewing of planks; Thus affecting their lungs.those diagnoses are forwarded for management prompt respond but the lack of adequacy and
parts and thereby causing deformities. Finally,the Liberia Labour Congress appreciate this unique opportunity and considered as a break through for the Education Department whose in return will train a pool of OSH Officer for the various affiliates.
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION!