‘You are not forgotten’ …Labor Minister Gibson assures Repatriated Liberian Women

The Government of Liberia(GoL), through the Ministry of Labor, has officially launched phase two of the reintegration program for repatriated Liberian women.

Phase one of the program saw about fifty women who benefited from the initiative with support from the International Organization on Migration.

Capacity development and cash empowerment of $US 1,500 was given to each of the 50 beneficiaries who were victims of human Trafficking from Omar.

In continuation of the program at the launch on Friday, Labor Minister Cllr. Charles Gibson assured the new batch of young women that they have not been Forgotten by the government.

"We have been working with our partners to ensure we roll out phase two of the program which is now a reality, we as a responsible government that cares for its citizens have not and will never forget about its people,” he re-emphasized. 

Cllr. Gibson said potential beneficiaries of phase two of the program will go through trainings and rigorous vetting processes with team of experts before they can finally be accepted and to benefit fully from the program. 

He reassured them that the process will be transparent and credible and it is part of best practices and standards as required by their partner, the IOM.

At the same time, the Labor Ministry boss used the occasion to encourage the young women to be focused and to give their best in order to benefit from phase two.

As part of phase two of the program, Cllr. Gibson stated that the new batch of beneficiaries will also be trained to help create awareness and education on human Trafficking including skills training among other surrounding issues and activities respectively. 

He stressed that the government remains committed to protecting the rights and well-being of its citizenry at all times and will do all in its legal power to initiative programs and opportunities along with their partners in order to help keep the smiles on the faces of the people alive. 

Also speaking briefly at the launching program was the Country Representative of the IOM Serge Lenaud who hailed the potential beneficiaries for their patients in the wake of initial plans and  processes leading to the commencement of phase two of the program. 

The IOM Country Representative also commended the GoL, through the Labor Ministry, for continuous partnership and collaboration in the common interest of the people. 

He also re-echoed to the beneficiaries that they have not been Forgotten as the IOM remains committed to providing support and empowerment for victims of human Trafficking and the Country in general. 

It can be recalled that the GoL, through the Labor Ministry, early this year repatriated 112 Liberian women from Omar who were alleged victims of Human Trafficking and subsequently initiated the reintegration and empowerment program with support from the IOM.

Meanwhile, the new batch of 62 beneficiaries are expected to be trained, empowered and to take home $US1,500 each following the completion of all of the vetting and related processes.