By Christian J. Appleton
HARPER, MARYLAND COUNTY — The Maryland County Labor Commissioner, Thomas Kuma, has expressed serious concern over a growing and troublesome trend where local institutions keep workers on temporary contracts for extended periods instead of granting them permanent employment after completing their initial trials.
Speaking in an exclusive interview over the weekend at his office in Harper, Commissioner Kuma revealed that one of the most frequent labor complaints brought before his team involves employers who simply fail to regularize their staff. He pointed out that Liberia’s Decent Work Act of 2015 explicitly outlines clear legal requirements regarding probation and employment status. Kuma emphasized that his office is doing everything within its power to enforce compliance, stating firmly that once a worker completes their probationary period, it is only prudent and legal for an employer to transition them into permanent roles rather than stringing them along on temporary contracts for one or two years.
In his efforts to protect workers’ rights across Maryland County, Commissioner Kuma made it clear that the Decent Work Act is designed to balance the scale, protecting both management and the workforce alike. To maintain this balance, labor officials regularly conduct institutional visits to educate both employers and employees on their legal boundaries and respective responsibilities. Despite the ongoing disputes, Kuma highlighted that Maryland County has seen a gradual and steady rise in formal employment numbers since 2014, according to official data collected by the Ministry of Labor.
Beyond contractual disputes, the Labor Commissioner identified poor road conditions as a massive hurdle currently impacting the daily lives and productivity of local workers. However, he expressed strong optimism that infrastructural relief is on the horizon under the administration of President Joseph N. Boakai, noting that the Ministry of Public Works is slated to deploy heavy equipment soon to open and rehabilitate vital corridors.
Workplace safety remains another primary focus for the Ministry of Labor. Kuma explained that inspectors routinely conduct field visits to evaluate safety conditions, beginning with a strict review of each company’s safety policy to ensure it aligns with national standards. According to Kuma, these thorough inspections, which include direct interviews with the workers themselves, show that roughly 90 percent of the institutions in the county are actively making positive strides toward safer working environments.
When disputes do arise, the Commissioner strongly urged both employers and employees to utilize lawful grievance channels rather than resorting to workplace violence, which is strictly prohibited under the labor law. He advised employees to always report issues directly to their supervisors and seek legal remedies through the ministry when necessary.
Concurrently, Kuma raised concerns regarding high rates of worker absenteeism, calling it a recurring issue that undermines productivity. While management is legally obligated to pay employees fairly, Kuma reminded workers that they also hold a strict professional responsibility. He warned that under current labor regulations, an employee who accumulates up to ten days of unauthorized absences within a six-month window faces lawful dismissal. He strongly advised workers to communicate openly with their supervisors if they are sick or unable to report to duty, rather than vanishing without notice.
Looking inward at the Ministry of Labor’s own challenges, Commissioner Kuma confessed that a severe lack of transportation heavily hampers their monitoring operations across the vast terrain of Maryland County. He disclosed that a high-level delegation, including the Assistant Minister for Administration and representatives from the Human Resource Department, recently visited the region to assess these logistical hurdles firsthand. Kuma concluded with optimism, noting that the ministry has promised to supply vehicles to leeward counties like Maryland in the near future, which will finally give inspectors the mobility they need to effectively enforce labor laws and foster harmonious workplace relations across the county.
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