According to the Liberia News Agency, the four-day forum brings together stakeholders from anti-Child labor groups in Liberia, the Government as well as representatives of the International Labor Organization (ILO).

It is expected to discuss the way forward for drafting of a National Action Plan as a national document that the Government will use to abolish child labor and child trafficking, as well as forced labor in the country.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Labor Minister Cllr. Juah F. Lawson said at the end of the workshop, participants will acquire the needed knowledge that would enable them to come out with a comprehensive National Action Plan on child labor in the country.

She explained that although, in June of 2003, Liberia ratified the ILO Convention on the worst forms of child labor, there has been no working document to make it effective in the country.

Minister Lawson also said that child labor, as a continental problem, needs to be discouraged, especially in a post-conflict nation like Liberia.

The workshop was jointly organized by the Ministry of Labor and the ILO.

By Richard Stephens