MONROVIA – The issue of unemployment in Liberia has long been a major source of concern, especially as the country faces increasing economic challenges. As the country grapples with high unemployment rates, particularly among its youth, a new controversy has emerged, placing the Labor Ministry under the spotlight.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
This issue revolves around the alleged issuance of work permits to thousands of foreign nationals for jobs that many Liberians are qualified to fill. The controversy has generated heated debates in the Senate, with strong accusations that the Ministry of Labor, led by Minister Cooper Kruah, is not prioritizing Liberians in the labor market.
The accusations came to light when Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon Tuesday raised concerns about the issuance of 8,000 work permits to foreign nationals for jobs that he believes should be filled by qualified Liberians.
Senator Dillon, who has been vocal about the government’s failure to provide enough job opportunities for Liberians, claims that jobs in sectors such as carpentry, plumbing, and driving are being occupied by foreigners, despite the fact that many Liberians have received vocational training in these fields.
In his complaints, Senator Dillon noted, “The Minister of Labor has provided 8,000 work permits to foreigners for jobs Liberians can do. These are jobs we are training Liberians for, and yet, foreigners are taking them.” He also argued that this situation is unfair to Liberians, especially given the country’s high unemployment rates.
Over the past few months, Minister Kruah has appeared before various Senate committees to address these concerns, but his handling of the matter has raised further questions. Most recently, on May 20, Minister Kruah again faced the Senate’s plenary to defend his Ministry’s actions.
Kruah’s defense centers on the claim that the Ministry inherited a system that does not capture job descriptions of foreign nationals applying for work permits. He explained, “We only capture basic information — names, ages, and nationalities of applicants — without detailing the specific jobs they will perform.”
He also claimed that out of the 8,000 work permits issued, 6,980 went to non-African nationals, while 2,699 were granted to non-ECOWAS nationals. Despite this breakdown, the Minister’s inability to provide specific job descriptions has fueled further criticism.
Senator Dillon, visibly frustrated, pointed out, “The Minister submitted a listing of work permits granted, but he left out the crucial details — the job descriptions. The category is what we have been asking for, and the Minister knows this.” Dillon continued, “We want to know if these permits are being issued for jobs like driving, carpentry, and plumbing, jobs that Liberians are qualified to do.”
At the core of this debate are Liberia’s labor laws, which are designed to prioritize job opportunities for Liberians. The Decent Work Act of 2015, which governs employment practices in Liberia, sets clear guidelines for the issuance of work permits to foreign nationals.
Section 6 of the Act specifically mandates that foreign nationals can only be granted work permits if employers prove that no qualified Liberians are available for the position. This requires employers to advertise vacancies in local media for at least a month, followed by certification from the Ministry of Labor that no suitable Liberian candidate exists.
However, Senator Dillon has accused the government of failing to enforce these regulations, allowing foreigners to take up positions that could otherwise be filled by Liberians.
He emphasized, “The system should ensure that foreign nationals are only hired when no qualified Liberian can be found for the position. But it appears that this process is not being followed.”
Further complicating the matter is the Liberianization Act, which is designed to protect certain sectors of the economy for Liberians only. This includes businesses such as small retail shops, restaurants, and other informal sector jobs.
Senator Dillon argued that allowing foreigners to occupy these positions directly contradicts the spirit of the law and undermines efforts to empower Liberian workers.
The economic implications of this situation are profound. Liberia has invested considerable resources into vocational training and education, with the aim of equipping young Liberians with the skills they need to enter the workforce. Yet, despite these efforts, many Liberians are finding it difficult to secure employment in their own country.
The influx of foreign nationals into jobs that Liberians are trained for further exacerbates this problem. Senator Dillon expressed frustration, saying, “We cannot continue to invest in the training of our citizens, only for them to find that foreigners are occupying the jobs they are qualified to do.”
This sentiment reflects a broader concern about the lack of economic opportunities for Liberians, particularly given the high rates of youth unemployment.
Moreover, the political implications of the issue cannot be ignored. Senator Dillon’s criticism that foreign nationals are being given preferential treatment in the labor market taps into a larger political debate about the role of foreign investment in Liberia’s development.
Critics argue that the government’s approach to labor policies, including the issuance of work permits, is too lenient on foreign entities at the expense of Liberian workers. There is growing frustration among ordinary Liberians who see foreign nationals filling jobs that should go to their fellow countrymen.
This discontent has the potential to escalate into broader political ramifications. The Liberian government faces increasing pressure to demonstrate its commitment to job creation and economic empowerment for its citizens. Failure to address the growing unemployment crisis could fuel public dissatisfaction, especially in the run-up to future elections.
Senator Dillon has been adamant that the Minister’s refusal to provide job descriptions for the foreign nationals in question is an attempt to obscure the truth. “The Minister cannot simply omit the job category. The law requires that these job categories be disclosed, and we have requested this information multiple times,” he remarked.
The repeated failure of Minister Kruah to comply with Senate requests for documentation has led to increased scrutiny of his leadership. Some lawmakers have expressed doubts about his willingness to cooperate fully with the legislative body. Senator Francis Dopoh from River Gee County questioned Kruah’s sincerity, stating, “The 2019 regulation tells you that when you optimize a system, it will capture everything, including the job descriptions. So, what’s really going on?”
With the situation still unresolved, the Liberian Senate has given Minister Kruah a two-week grace period to provide the requested documentation. The Senate has made it clear that this is the final opportunity for the Minister to comply. If he fails to submit the necessary documents, the consequences could be severe, and the Senate may take further action.
In the coming weeks, Minister Kruah’s response to this ultimatum will determine the next steps. Will the Ministry of Labor fulfill its obligations and clarify the situation surrounding the issuance of work permits? Will it enforce the regulations that prioritize Liberians for jobs, or will the controversy deepen, further eroding public trust in the government’s ability to address the employment crisis?
This issue is emblematic of a larger struggle in Liberia — one that pits foreign investment against the interests of the local population. Liberia’s labor laws are designed to protect its citizens and ensure that they have access to employment opportunities, but the execution of these laws remains a contentious issue.