MONROVIA: An official of the “Confederation of Mano River- Sub-regional Migration of Free Trade Union of West Africa” (COMTUWA), Mr. Jerry R.B. Duplaye, has called on the Liberian government to listen to the cries of the people.
The COMTUWA official also cautions the Government to take serious measures aimed at the sustenance of Liberia’s peace and democratic process, by deeds, not words.
Mr. Duplaye who the Secretary General of COMTUWA said one way of doing this to encourage the participation of all citizens in the national governance process.
He named the appointment of people to public officers, no matter one’s political, regional, sectoral, ethnic, religious, county and background.
He stressed the importance of appointing state officials based on their professional competence, experience, integrity and credibility and based on a merit system as opposed to so-called political and party connections.
The Liberian Trade Union official made the statement over the weekend in Joekplee Town, Todee District, Pleemu Clan, Montserrado County.
He spoke at a program marking the start of a three-day leadership workshop organized by the Liberia Indigenous Rural Workers Trade Union (LIRWTU), under the sponsorship of the World Organization of Workers Foundation, based in Canada.
Mr. Duplaye also warned that appointment of officials in government should not be based on nepotism, family connection or ethnic connections, which are inimical to good governance, sustainable peace and progress.
According to him, another way of consolidating the Liberian peace is to sustain and expand on the provision of educational and economic opportunities for the citizenry in both urban and rural communities.
“Liberians generally need capacity building and empowerment in all spheres of development by the government and its development partners,” he stressed.
The Labor Unionist indicated that such measures would help to improve the lives of the citizens, most of whom are suffering at the bottom of the nation’s economic ladder.
He used the occasion to call on all Trade Union Organizations in the country to rise to the challenges they are faced with because more and more workers are being dismissed, some without any due process of law.
For his part, the President of the Liberia Indigenous Rural Workers Trade Union (LIRWTU) Mr. David L. Kollie, lauded the participants for gracing the workshop and advised them to always be united and speak with one voice in the country’s labor sector.
He assured that LIRWTU will continue to work with other partners to acquire faming tools for the citizens of Joekplee Town, Todee District, Pleemu Clan and its surrounding villages and towns in Montserrado County.
Mr. Kollie said his organization, the Liberia Indigenous Rural Workers Trade Union (LIRWTU) became a full member of the World Organization of Workers Foundation based in Canada six years ago.
He added that LIRWTU enjoys good and mutually rewarding relationship with the World Organization of Workers (WOW) Foundation which also focusses on accessing rice and cassava processing training and empowerment.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Secretary General of the National Trade Unions of Public Service and Allied Workers(NTUPAW), Tye S.K Jaye, who was one of the facilitators lauded the leadership of the Liberia Indigenous Rural Workers Trade Union (LIRWTU) for organizing the three days leadership workshop.
Mr. Tye Jaye encouraged the participants to acquire useful skills and knowledge for the betterment of the Liberian people.
For her part, the Chief of Joekplee Town, Madam Annie Kollie, lauded the President of the Liberia Indigenous Rural Workers Trade Union (LIRWTU) for organizing the leadership workshop in the town.
She appealed to him to lobby with authority of government to establish an adult literacy program in the town to provide Educational opportunity for adults who lack basic literacy and numeracy skills, or proficiency in English.
She said Literacy program would unlock opportunities for adults to fully engage in their communities and enrich their lives.
She expressed the belief that, Adults who are able to read, write, do basic math, and use a computer are more likely to achieve goals such as meaningful work and access to health care.
Town chief Kollie also urged the Liberian Government particularly the Ministry of Education (MOE) to place premium on education and prioritize adult literacy education in the country.