Bomi County Senator Edwin Snowe has called on the Government of Liberia (GOL) to reverse the controversial harmonization policy introduced during the administration of former President George Manneh Weah.
By Obediah Johnson
Implemented in 2019 by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the Civil Service Agency (CSA), the policy mandated significant cuts in the salaries of civil servants and other public officials across government. The CDC administration argued that harmonization was intended to promote “equal pay for equal work”, curb the rising public wage bill, and free resources for national priorities such as infrastructure, education, and health.
However, the policy was met with widespread resistance. Civil servants staged nationwide protests, accusing the Weah government of worsening their economic hardship. The backlash became one of the key political issues that contributed to Weah’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election.
Snowe: Use the Budget to Restore Pre-Harmonization Salaries
Despite the CDC’s exit from power, the harmonization policy remains in effect under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s Unity Party-led administration.
In a communication to the Senate Plenary on Thursday, November 13, Senator Snowe urged the government to use the proposed US$1.2 billion national budget to restore civil servants’ salaries and benefits to their pre-harmonization levels.
He described the draft budget as one that reflects “the interests and aspirations of every Liberian through inclusive national planning”, adding that it also demonstrates progress in the country’s post-war economic governance by promoting equitable resource distribution and fiscal discipline.
“The compilation and timely submission of this draft budget presents a unique opportunity for this Honorable Legislature to prioritize the welfare of civil servants by revisiting and addressing the long-standing challenges arising from the harmonization policy,” Snowe stated.
“A sincere return to pre-harmonization levels would not only restore confidence within the public service, but also reinforce the government’s commitment to improving livelihoods and productivity across all sectors.”
Snowe emphasized that lawmakers must ensure that the 2025 budget aligns with the needs of ordinary Liberians.
Background: What the Harmonization Program Sought to Achieve
The harmonization program sought to standardize salaries across ministries, agencies, and public bodies to eliminate major disparities and ensure that employees performing similar roles received comparable compensation. It formed a key part of the Weah administration’s fiscal reforms, carried out with guidance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which urged Liberia to clean its payroll, control the wage bill, and verify the status of civil servants.
While the CDC government defended the policy as a necessary reform, the Unity Party and its alliance—then in opposition—condemned the decision and vowed during the 2023 elections to reverse it once elected. However, nearly a year into the administration, the policy remains unchanged.
Observers believe Senator Snowe’s call may increase political pressure on the current government to deliver on its campaign promise. Whether the Boakai administration will cancel or revise the policy remains unclear.
Senate Launches Inquiry
Meanwhile, the Senate has instructed its Committee on Ways, Means, and Finance to investigate the matter and report back to the body.
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