The President of the Republic of Liberia His Excellency President George Manneh Weah has by proclamation declared Wednesday, May 1, 2019, as International Labor Day to be observed throughout Liberia as a Working Holiday.

The proclamation is in consonance with the precursor movements to the International Labor Organization, including the First International and similar bodies that proposed the observance of events on May 1 every year to advocate for a working day of eight hours, decent working conditions and international peace.

According to a Foreign Ministry Release, Liberia joined other nations with a quest for justice and decent work for all by being a founding member of the International Labor Organization in 1919, defending and promoting the rights of all who labor in it and has since 2015 passed a Decent Work Act which localizes said rights.

The International Labor Organization has advanced the universal theme:  “Uniting Workers for Social and Economic Advancement” while the Liberia Labor Congress has set out this year’s national theme: “Unity, Strength & Solidarity for Economic Empowerment and Improved Standards of Living for Workers in Liberia under the Pro Poor Agenda”.

The Proclamation also states that it is befitting to observe May 1 of this year as International Labor or May Day as part of events observing the 100^th Anniversary of the International Labor Organization culminating on May 7, 2019.

Meanwhile, President George Manneh Weah has call upon all Liberians and Foreign Nationals, ministries and agencies of government, labor unions, employers and employer organizations and civil society organizations as well as student, youth and women groups to join the Ministry of Labor and the Liberia Labor Congress to plan and  execute appropriate programs befitting the occasion.