National Stakeholders Convene to Review Occupational Health and Safety Regulations in Liberia
The Ministry of Labour, through its Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Division, recently organized a high-level national stakeholders’ meeting to examine Regulation No. 19 under Chapter 29 of the Liberian Labor Law. This event marked a significant step in the country’s efforts to improve workplace safety and align with global labor standards.
During the closing remarks of the two-day meeting held at the Ministry of Labour, Minister Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah, Sr., emphasized his administration’s commitment to ensuring that every industrial site in Liberia has a designated safety officer. He highlighted the importance of this measure in protecting workers from hazardous and high-risk environments. “It is crucial that the Ministry of Labour takes the lead because Liberians are working in environments with dangerous materials and must be fully protected from the risks associated with their jobs,” he stated.
Minister Kruah also stressed the global significance of worker health and safety, urging Liberia to keep pace with international developments. He pointed to Chapter 6 of the Decent Work Act of Liberia, which provides a comprehensive framework for OHS but requires the Ministry to issue specific regulations to enforce its provisions effectively at the workplace level.
Despite the existence of an OHS Division tasked with enforcing workplace safety, Minister Kruah acknowledged that its effectiveness has been limited by the absence of formal regulations to support compliance efforts. To address this, he announced the establishment of a dedicated training center aimed at preparing and certifying all health and safety personnel in Liberia once the regulation is finalized.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to continuous capacity building, policy direction, and technical support to ensure that the revised Regulation No. 19 aligns with international labor standards and best practices. Mr. Jimmy George, Director of the OHS Division, described the engagement as a vital step toward modernizing Liberia’s OHS framework in line with global standards, especially those of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Director George urged stakeholders to embrace collective responsibility in transforming workplace safety nationwide. He outlined key priorities of the revised regulation, including:
- Extending coverage to critical sectors such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, food services, and transportation
- Institutionalizing certification and training programs for OHS personnel and workers at all levels
- Establishing a robust compliance and enforcement framework to enhance safety, improve labor conditions, and contribute to national revenue generation
Stakeholders emphasized the strong link between safe workplaces, national productivity, family well-being, and sustainable development. They also reflected on regional experiences and praised the Ministry for the progress made since the reform process began in June 2024.
The event was held under the theme “Strengthening Occupational Health and Safety for a Safer, Productive Liberia,” aiming to create a regulatory environment that ensures consistent OHS enforcement across all sectors.
In separate remarks, Mr. Erickson T. Brown, CEO of HSE Solutions Inc., and Madam Teta Lorpu Wormonue of TIBA Industrial Group, both pledged their institutions’ full support for the finalization and implementation of the regulation. They reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the dignity of labor and promoting workplace safety as a key pillar of national development.
The meeting brought together a wide range of participants, including the Minister of Labour, Deputy and Assistant Ministers, senior Ministry technicians, representatives from organized labor, employer associations, development partners, and the private sector. This collaborative approach underscores the shared goal of creating safer and more productive work environments in Liberia.