Job Protection
No Harmful Work
What is the relevant legislation on protecting the health and safety of pregnant workers?
The relevant legislation is the Decent Work Act of Liberia.
What type of work is prohibited for pregnant or nursing workers?
According to the Decent Work Act, an employer should not ask a pregnant or nursing employee to perform work that is hazardous to her health or to her child.
What actions must an employer take to protect the health and safety of pregnant or nursing workers?
If a pregnant or nursing worker is assigned to hazardous duties, her employer must offer her suitable alternative employment, if practicable, on terms and conditions that are no less favourable than her usual terms and conditions of employment.
Does the law require pregnant and nursing workers not to be engaged in harmful work?
Yes, the law requires that pregnant and nursing workers must not be engaged in harmful work. Employers have a legal obligation under the Decent Work Act to avoid assigning hazardous duties to such employees
Sources: §20.4(b, c) of the Decent work Act, 2015
Protection from Dismissals
What is the relevant legislation on protection from dismissals?
The relevant provisions are found in the Decent Work Act, 2015.
Does the law require that workers be protected from dismissals during the term of pregnancy and maternity leave?
A woman who takes maternity leave cannot be fired by her employer since she is entitled to return to the same position with the same terms and conditions. Hence, her right to work protection would be violated if she were fired on the grounds of maternity leave. However, there is no explicit provision protecting a woman worker from dismissal on account of pregnancy.
Sources: § 20.4 of the Decent Work Act, 2015
Right to Return to Same Position
Are employers obligated to give employees an equivalent or the same position when they return from maternity leave?
Employers are obligated to reinstate the employee to the same position held before maternity leave or an equivalent one with the same terms and conditions.
Does the law provide for the right to return to the same position after availing maternity leave?
Law states that, at the end of maternity leave an employed woman is entitled to continue her employment on the same terms and conditions of employment as before her maternity leave.
Sources: § 20.4 of the Decent Work Act, 2015
