Labor Minister, Cooper W. Kruah, is calling on members of the labor sector of Liberia to close ranks with all in charting a new course of professionalism in the conduct of the affairs of the Ministry, to ensure an effective and efficient labor sector.
Minister Kruah noted that this will be characterized by respect for the rule of law, strong collaboration with partners, and quality of service from employees for an improved labor sector in the country.
The Liberian Labor Minister emphasized the full enforcement of the Labor Laws and the provisions of section 4(a) of regulation No. 17, which states, “Any informal sector employer who employs an alien who is not in possession of a work permit and is not exempted, shall pay a fine of US$500 for the employer and US$250 for the unlawful employee,” and section 4 (b) of the same regulation, which also states, “Any formal sector employer who employs an alien who is not in possession of a work permit and is not exempted, shall pay a fine of US$2,000 for the employer and US$1,000 for the unlawful employee”.
Minister Kruah made the statement on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, when he officially took over the affairs of the Ministry of Labor.
“I must again emphasize that while we wish to encourage the involvement of you, our foreign business and investment friends here in our labor economy, and allow you to explore commercial and trading opportunities, we wish to quickly state that the full compliance of our laws cannot be over-emphasized, and that the safety, welfare, and prosperity of our citizens will be our optimal priority, which will not be compromised.”
Krauh who described his agenda for the Ministry as a “Liberians first” agenda, noted that qualified Liberian citizens will be afforded preferential opportunities as they compete on the job market with our foreign compatriots regular. “Routine and non-technical job placements and vacancies at major companies and other investment entities in our country, will be occupied by qualified Liberians, or may only be occupied by foreign workers, if and only if, there are no competent and qualified Liberians available, after advertisements by authority of the Minister of Labor, in keeping with relevant concession contracts, Mineral Development Agreements, and consistent with the Labor Laws of Liberia and MOL Regulation No. 17, all of which will be fully implemented.”
He assured members of the labor sector that their rights and investment portfolios of investors shall be fully respected and protected equally under our laws.
“To The Liberia Labor Congress and to all Trade Union Members, I wish to pledge to all of you my unwavering desire and commitment to work collaboratively with the leadership and members of both the Labor Congress and Trade Union Groups, to ensure that decent labor standards and ethics, including fair labor practices, are observed everywhere in Liberia, and issues affecting contractors and employees, such as appropriate wages, contracts, overtime, leave, dismissals, recordkeeping, contractors, salaried employment, retirement, and retrenchment in the private sector, are fully addressed. Harmonious working relationships between and among employees to employees on the one hand, and employees to employers on the other, will be encouraged, and all emerging issues and disputes will be handled speedily and fairly, in keeping with appropriate laws and regulations,” he said.
For his part, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Grand Gedeh Senator, Thomas Yaya Nimley, underscored the need for the robust implementation of relevant labor regulations, specifically dealing with preference for qualified Liberians’ employment and containment of rising cases of industrial unrests across the country. He expressed total confidence in the professional ability and experience of Minister Kruah in handling the affairs of the Ministry, and pledged commitment to his administration in enhancing the “ARREST” agenda of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
The ceremony was attended by scores of government officials, foreign dignitaries, leaders of trade unions, representatives of employers, officials and employees of the Ministry, as well as family members.
