The Supreme Court on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, ruled in favor of over 200 former employees of the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), confirming that the organization must compensate them for unpaid overtime work. The Court’s decision, handed down during the October 2024 term, upholds a previous ruling by a trial judge and mandates that the compensation be recalculated according to specific guidelines.
This case, which has been ongoing since 2008, revolved around the workers’ claims that GTZ failed to pay them for overtime hours worked. Additionally, the former employees sought severance pay after they were laid off prematurely before their fixed-term contracts had concluded. The trial court had previously found GTZ liable for the overtime pay, and the Supreme Court has now affirmed that decision. However, the Court has directed that the Ministry of Labour appoint a hearing officer to review the case and determine the correct amount of compensation based on the High Court’s instructions.
The ruling addresses the workers’ concerns who felt that their former employer violated their labor rights. They argued that GTZ’s failure to pay overtime was a breach of their contractual obligations, and that their premature dismissal further compounded their grievances. The Court’s judgment now ensures that the issue will be revisited with the appropriate adjustments to calculate their compensation.
Joe Gborie, a representative for the group of former employees, expressed his satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s decision, calling it a victory for labor rights in Liberia. Gborie emphasized that the ruling sets an important precedent for workers’ rights, sending a strong message to employers that they will be held accountable for unfair treatment.
For years, the group of workers has been fighting for justice, seeking not only the overtime compensation they were owed but also the severance pay that had been withheld following their layoffs. They were employed under fixed-term contracts, but GTZ terminated their services before those contracts had expired. Gborie pointed out that the High Court’s ruling signifies a major shift towards holding companies accountable for their obligations to employees, especially in matters of fair treatment and labor rights.
