Poverty Reduction through Decent Employment Creation in Liberia

Poverty Reduction through Decent Employment Creation in Liberia As Liberia is on the path to recovery, the need for quick and massive job creation has pushed forward as a key priority from all stakeholders. First because, given its staggering estimated rate of 85% unemployment, the creation of decent jobs is clearly the most appropriate road to poverty reduction. Second, because the lack of job opportunities and the slow economic recovery are a threat to security and, thus, to keeping the newly established peace. The Government has, with support from the ILO, spelled out a strategic framework for immediate job creation, the LEEP, which has five integrated key initiatives. The ILO’s Programme for Poverty Reduction through Decent Work contributes specifically to LEEP’s Key Initiatives 1, 3, 4 and 5. It is also instrumental for operationalizing the LEEP framework, as it provides initial technical and financial support to its Secretariat. This Programme is the immediate response of the ILO to the iPRSP and to the employment situation in the country, and more resources are being mobilized for expansion of the programme components. There are three main components. The first two aim primarily at immediate job creation and local economic development. The third is focused on capacity building. Component 1 will reconstruct a road through labour-intensive methods, and build capacity accordingly, in the triangle, Bensonville-Johnsonville-Todee, an area with much economic potential and, by just creating access, significant economic recovery is expected. It will also support, through a public-private partnership with Firestone, the establishment of local cooperatives in charcoal production (and other related areas) on rubber plantations where large numbers of over-aged trees have to be cut and replanting is needed to boost rubber production. It intends to directly create approximately 2,300 jobs, at least 50% of which should be sustainable. Indirect job creation will be much higher following the overall economic recovery. Component 2 is directed to the creation of at least 200 decent jobs through private sector development of the waste management sector in Monrovia, following similar ILO interventions in Tanzania and Zambia. Component 3 addresses institution building of the tripartite constituents to strengthen their role in policy making, as well as their services to clients. It also includes initial technical and financial assistance to the LEEP Secretariat. The target group of the Programme are men and women living in the triangle Bensonville-Johnsonville-Todee and in Monrovia, who will be given opportunities for decent work, and who will have better access to markets, further promoting economic recovery. As regards capacity building, the programme will benefit staff of ministries of Labour, Public Works, Monrovia City Corporation and local government, trade unions and employers' representatives, NGOs and CBOs. Development objective The project will contribute to poverty reduction in Liberia through the reinforcement of capacities of local and national stakeholders in formulating and implementing comprehensive local economic development and employment creation strategies. This will support the achievement of the objectives set out in the recently formulated iPRSP and those set out in the Liberia Emergency Employment Programme (LEEP), launched by Her Excellency the President on 15 July 2006. It will in particular contribute to operationalizing its Key lnitiatives 1, 3, 4, 5.

Project symbol

LIR/06/50/NET

Admin unit

CO-Abuja

Start date

01/06/2006

End date

30/04/2010

Total allocation

5221792

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

5221792

Development Partners

Netherlands, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Country/Countries

Liberia

Outcomes

Employment Promotion