Dr. Layli Maparyan, President of the University of Liberia, has proposed the creation of a dedicated national employment law specifically for the country's higher education sector. According to AllAfrica, Maparyan presented this initiative to the Liberian Senate on November 3, 2026, arguing that the existing legal framework fails to address the distinct characteristics of academic employment. She described the proposal as a significant labor policy intervention intended to resolve long-standing structural weaknesses in Liberia's employment regulatory system.
Maparyan contended that standard civil service rules are ill-suited for university professionals, whose roles involve teaching, research, and institutional governance beyond routine administrative duties. She noted that the Decent Work Act and the Civil Service Act do not fully recognize the professional independence and specialized career advancement required in higher education. Specifically, she highlighted that the Civil Service Act often prohibits strikes for civil servants, a restriction that may not adequately serve the industrial relations needs of university faculty who require specific mechanisms for collective bargaining and dispute resolution.
The proposal draws on international precedents to justify a tailored legal approach. AllAfrica reported that Maparyan cited the South African Constitution and the United Kingdom’s Education Reform Act, both of which explicitly protect academic freedom and labor rights. She also referenced Australia’s Fair Work Act, which allows universities to negotiate enterprise agreements that cover workloads, career progression, and working conditions. These examples illustrate how other nations have created legal structures that accommodate the professional complexities of academic staff.
Maparyan emphasized that a new law should supplement, rather than undermine, existing labor rights under the Decent Work Act of 2015. She argued that the legislation must clarify the status of various academic employees, including part-time lecturers and adjunct faculty, who are often excluded from standard civil service protections. The proposed framework would establish clear standards for recruitment, tenure, promotion, and compensation, ensuring that collective bargaining agreements address broader professional welfare issues beyond mere salary adjustments.
According to the report, the new legislation aims to create a predictable and equitable environment for academic professionals. It would define the responsibilities of university administrations and safeguards against arbitrary employment decisions, while also establishing fair processes for resolving grievances. Maparyan’s testimony suggests that without a specific legal framework, the relationship between university management and academic staff remains vulnerable to uncertainty and industrial friction.