MoL-Partners Launch Nat’l PWDs Work Roadmap

The Ministry of Labor, Liberia Labor Congress, National Commission on Disability, AIFO and NUOD have launched the National Road Map on Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities in Liberia.

It aims to provide an inclusive space for Persons Living with Disabilities suitable environment at workplaces.

Speaking during the launch of the road map, Ophelia N. Carpenter, Vice President General for Operations of the Liberia Labor Congress said this National Roadmap on Decent Work with Disabilities in Liberia is hereby developed as a guiding framework to advance inclusion, strengthen policy and institutional mechanisms, promote capacity development, foster partnerships and monitor its implementation among government, civil society, private sector, and international stakeholders.

“It seeks to ensure that Persons with Disabilities are empowered as agents of development and beneficiaries of Liberia’s socio-economic transformation, leaving no one behind.”

“Committed to the promotion of inclusive economic growth, social justice, and the elimination of all forms of discrimination in employment, recruitment, training, and career advancement,” Madam Carpenter narrated.

“Determined to create enabling environments where Persons with Disabilities can exercise their right to decent, productive, and sustainable work in conditions of freedom, equity, security, and developed as a guiding framework to advance inclusion, strengthen policy and institutional mechanisms.” Ophelia N Carpenter noted.

Launching the road map, Labor Minister Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah said that the Road Map on Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities in Liberia marks a significant step toward building an inclusive world of work in Liberia, one where persons with disabilities can participate fully, safely, and productively, and where their rights and contributions are recognized and valued as the Ministry of Labour is committed to advancing this vision.

“As part of this commitment, we will establish a Disability Desk within the Ministry to serve as a central platform for coordinating policies, monitoring progress, and ensuring accountability on disability-inclusive employment.”

“In addition, the priorities outlined in this Roadmap will be mainstreamed into the National Labour Plan, so that the inclusion of persons with disabilities is not treated as a stand-alone initiative but is instead embraced as a central pillar of our national Labour priorities.”

“We recognize that the right to decent work for persons with disabilities can only be achieved when workplaces are made accessible, when safety and fairness are guaranteed, and when employment opportunities are both gainful and sustainable. This requires the collective responsibility of government, employers, civil society, and communities working together. The Coordinated Action on Disability in Liberia (CAD-L) project has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for this Road Map.”

"Through the CAD-L initiative, we have witnessed important milestones such as training on decent work principles for employers, civil society organizations, and organizations of persons with disabilities; social dialogue initiatives; and multi-stakeholder discussions on critical thematic areas such as health, security, social protection, and access to tertiary education and skills development. These achievements have created a strong foundation upon which this Road Map is built."

"I wish to commend the Swedish Government, represented by the Embassy of Sweden in Monrovia and generously supported through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), for their partnership and unwavering support in this journey. Their commitment has reinforced Liberia's strides toward promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and ensuring that no one is left behind in the world of work".

"As we launch this Roadmap, I extend a call to action to all stakeholders: let us work hand in hand to transform Liberia's labor landscape into one that is truly inclusive. By doing so, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are afforded equal opportunities to contribute, thrive, and live with dignity".

Also speaking, National Commission on Disability, Executive Director, Samuel Dean explained that social sanction stigma has held persons living with disabilities progress.

He underscored the need to have programs and initiatives to provide platforms for Persons Living with Disabilities for employment in private and public spaces.

He then called for continuous collaboration to fulfill the road map.

Speaking earlier, National Union of Organizations for the Disabled (NUOD) appreciated Labor Minister, Councilor Cooper Kruah for the services provided to PWDs.

He extended thanks to AIFO, DKT and other partners for the prioritization of inclusion as said is key in bridging the gap.

He rallied that the document is just symbolic, but practicalize to positively affect the country.

Flomo urged all parties inclusive of the government of Liberia, Civil Society, to perform their tasks of enforcing the roadmap extensively.

He called for the expansion of the road map to effectively impact persons Living with Disabilities nationwide.

In remarks, Laura Todescato, Chief of Party of AIFO, said the roadmap is a tripartite arrangement set up five years ago.

She disclosed that it’s summarized in five areas, namely: Accessibility, Public Finance, Training, Education and Awareness, Advocacy and Employment.

“They are steps the government of Liberia should in addressing issues affecting persons living with disabilities.”