Liberia- 1st- Children’s rights

CHAPTER TWO: SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS
2.3 Thematic Focus of the NAPBHR

2.3.2. Labor Rights

[…] Forced child labor occurs in Liberia. In line with the traditional “ward” system, rural families often entrust their children to live with relatives, acquaintances, or even strangers in the cities, with the understanding that these children would be educated in the process. In some instances, these children are forced to work as street vendors, domestic servants, or beggars; or they (the girls) are exploited in commercial sex. Forced labor also occurs on agricultural plantations and small holder farms.

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Despite existing legal provisions, challenges remain in the effective enforcement of minimum wage and overtime in all sectors, especially in small and medium enterprises. Penalties are less than those for fraud or negligence. The Ministry of Labor’s Inspection Department is responsible for enforcing government-established wage, hours, and health and safety standards in the formal sector, but the mandate is not monitored and there is no enforcement in the informal sector. There are limited labor inspections and joint monitoring visits by relevant government institutions – including the National Bureau of Concessions, Mold, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Investment Commission, etc. – to enforce compliance (and duties such as on-site inspections for safety, child labor, and other human rights abuses and grievances) are not effective or are lackadaisical.

 The NAPBHR consultations identified the following concerns related to labor:

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15. Increased number of children under 18 engaged in hazardous work.

CHAPTER THREE: POLICY ACTIONS

3.2. Labor Rights
The following policy actions shall be undertaken to address labor-related abuses and violations.
a) State’s Duty to Protect Labor Rights.

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ii. Concerning employment, the National Working Group on Business and Human Rights, when established, shall develop Guidance Notes for companies to manage their employment processes in compliance with human rights standards to ensure nondiscrimination and prevent child and forced labor. […]

3.3 Access to Remedy
Access to remedy within the context of the NAPBHR is aligned with Liberia National Development Plan. The following include the policy actions that the Government of Liberia intends to undertake:

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c) Access to Remedy
Furthering post-conflict judicial reforms with the key goal of enhancing access to justice the following measures have been taken:
i. Constitution of the first “Juvenile Court” which was seated on 16 June 1997, on the day of the celebration of the African Child to improve the Juvenile justice system in Liberia.

ANNEX 1: SUMMARY OF POLICY ACTIONS/IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX

Thematic Area II: Labor Right

Activities/Intervention: The state shall develop Guidance Notes for companies to manage their employment processes in compliance with human rights standards. Indicators: Level of improvement in compliance with human rights standards (i.e. reduced child labor, forced labor, non-discrimination, etc.)