The Liberian Senate is being asked to invite the Minister of Labor, Cllr. Cooper Kruah, to explain the reasons behind the issuance of work permits to non-Liberians.
By Lincoln G. Peters
Monrovia, Liberia, October 23, 2024, Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon has formally written the Liberian Senate, seeking that august body’s endorsement to cite Labor Minister Cllr. Cooper Krauh to explain ongoing concerns about issuance of work permits to non-Liberians.
Senator Dillon, in his communication to the Senate, which was read on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, during the Senate’s 39th day sitting, first session, alarms over what he describes as violations of existing labor regulations that prioritize Liberian workers in both skilled and unskilled positions.
According to Dillon, the Decent Work Act, specifically Chapter 7, Section 7.1 and Chapter 45, Section 45.9, grants the Ministry of Labor authority to issue foreign work permits. However, under the Revised Regulation No. 17 (2019), which outlines the legal framework for work permits, there are strict conditions that should limit the employment of non-Africans in the informal sector and ensure that specific jobs remain exclusively for Liberians.
The regulation also mandates employers to prove they cannot find a suitable Liberian for a job before applying for a foreigner’s work permit. This includes publishing job vacancies in at least two local newspapers and on two radio stations for a month and obtaining a certificate from the Ministry as proof of the non-availability of a Liberian candidate.
Despite these measures, Senator Dillon voices concerns that the Ministry of Labor has continued to issue and renew work permits for foreign nationals, even for jobs Liberians are qualified for and available for.
He stresses that these actions are contrary to the intent of the Decent Work Act and contribute to rising unemployment in the country, particularly in the private sector.
“Year in and year out, the Ministry of Labor has issued work permits to non-Liberians for jobs where Liberians are suitable and readily available. In his communication, this undermines our efforts to address unemployment and improve local employment rates,” the Montserrado County Senator says.
He urges his colleagues to take the issue seriously, stressing that the Ministry of Labor’s actions are detrimental to the country’s labor market. He also calls on the Senate to endorse his request to summon the Minister of Labor to clarify the Ministry’s practices and take corrective measures that align with the Decent Work Act.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labor announced on Monday, October 21, 2024, that the issuance of Work Permits to aliens and foreigners would be suspended.
However, the communication from Senator Darius Dillon has been sent to the Senate’s Committee on Labor. Editing by Jonathan Browne
