The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has unveiled two assessment reports on the conditions of workers in Liberia’s informal economy, revealing significant gaps in labor protection, awareness of workers’ rights, and access to social security benefits.
The reports were launched Wednesday in Monrovia, where OHCHR Country Representative Christian Mukosa stressed the vital role informal workers play in Liberia’s economy despite facing persistent challenges in securing labor protections and legal remedies when their rights are violated.
According to the findings, more than 72 percent of informal workers surveyed in Grand Cape Mount County reported having little or no knowledge of Liberia’s labor laws. Additionally, over 81 percent said they had never received training or information regarding their labor rights and workplace entitlements.
Mukosa noted that the findings underscore the need for increased efforts to educate workers, strengthen labor protections, and expand access to social security programs for those operating outside the formal employment sector.
Representatives of Liberia’s Ministry of Justice described the reports as important to the implementation of the country’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. The ministry reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of all workers, including those employed in the informal economy.
Meanwhile, Federation of Informal Sector Workers President Elvis Tamba said the organization was established in December 2025 following consultations facilitated by the Independent National Commission on Human Rights and the Liberia Labor Congress.
He said the federation aims to provide a unified platform to advocate for the interests and welfare of informal workers across Liberia.
The launch of the reports comes amid growing calls for stronger labor protections and greater inclusion of informal workers in national social protection and economic development policies.
