The Plenary of the House of Representatives has mandated its Judiciary, Internal Affairs, and Good Governance Committees to review two legislative instruments submitted by Nimba County Electoral District 5 Representative, Hon. Samuel Kogar, to establish Labour and Probate Court in Nimba County
The draft pieces of legislation include:
1. An Act for the Establishment of a Labour Court in Nimba County
2. An Act to Create a Probate Court in Nimba County
Hon. Kogar emphasized the importance of establishing a Labour Court in Nimba County, given its significant role in the mining sector and increasing trade and employment.
He stated that the growing industrial sector in Nimba County has led to an increase in labor-related disputes, which are currently handled by the single circuit court that is already overburdened with criminal and civil cases.
He argued that the creation of a Labour Court will promote industrial harmony, enhance employer-employee relations, and strengthen the labor sector in Nimba County and Liberia at large.
Regarding the establishment of a Probate Court in Nimba, Hon. Kogar underscored its relevance in line with Article 65 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, which vests the Legislature with the power to create courts.
The Judiciary Law of Liberia further supports this provision. Given Nimba Countyβs large population, he stressed that a Probate Court is necessary to reduce land disputes arising from ownership and legitimate title claims, as well as to handle other probate-related matters efficiently.
Following the reading of the two draft bills, Lofa County Electoral District 4 Representative, Hon. Gizzie Kollince, proffered a motion to consider the reading of the two draft bills as their first reading and to forward them to the Judiciary, Good Governance, and Internal Affairs Committees for review.
The committees are expected to report their findings to plenary within two weeks.
Labour Court to Address Growing Industrial Needs
The proposed legislation, titled *”An Act for the Establishment of a Labour Court in Nimba County,” aims to address the growing number of labor disputes in the region, which is a hub for mining, trade, and industrial activities.
In a formal communication addressed to the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives, Rep. Kogar emphasized the urgent need for a specialized court to handle labor-related cases. He argued that the current judicial framework, with its overburdened single circuit court, is ill-equipped to manage the increasing volume of labor disputes in Nimba County.
Nimba County, Liberia’s second most populous county, is a major contributor to the national economy, accounting for approximately 25% of the national budget. The county’s economy is driven by its rich natural resources, including timber, iron ore, gold, and diamonds, as well as its thriving trade sectors with neighboring Guinea and Ivory Coast.
Rep. Kogar highlighted that the rapid growth of these industries has led to a surge in labor-related cases, ranging from disputes over wages and working conditions to conflicts between employers and employees. He noted that the existing circuit court, which handles both criminal and civil cases, is overwhelmed and unable to provide timely resolutions to labor disputes.
in Nimba County will bring industrial harmony, enhance relations between employers and employees, and promote the labor industry in Nimba County and Liberia as a whole,”* Rep. Kogar stated in his communication.
The proposed Labour Court would serve as a specialized judicial body dedicated to resolving labor disputes efficiently and fairly. Key benefits of the court include:
By providing a dedicated forum for labor disputes, the court would help maintain peaceful and productive relationships between employers and employees.
A well-functioning labor justice system would attract more investors to Nimba County, boosting its industrial and trade sectors.
The Labour Court would alleviate the caseload of the current circuit court, allowing it to focus on criminal and civil matters.
