The Ministry of Labor, in collaboration with the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), and partners, has launched a vigorous nation-wide Labor Inspection exercise, commencing in Montserrado County.
Speaking at the official launching exercise, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at the Labor Ministry in Monrovia, Labor Minister, Cooper W. Kruah, who chairs the joint inspection team, said the exercise is geared towards the renewal and acquisition of Labor and Residence Permit by foreign workers at informal and formal sectors of the country.
The Labor Minister, flanked by scores of officials from both entities, stressed the importance of professional conduct by members of the inspection team, in order to achieve the desired objectives of revenue collection, as well as protection of Liberian foreign workers.
Minister Kruah further called for systematic approach by the team and cautioned against arbitrary closure of foreign-owned business entities, without due process enshrined in the Decent Work Act and standing regulations of the Liberian Immigration Service.
He said both agencies have similar projects to facilitate collection of public funds from issuance of the Work and Residence Permits to foreign workers across the country.
Minister Kruah revealed that this year’s enforcement inspection exercise will start in Montserrado County and later extend to the leeward regions, including the South East, before the impending rainy season.
The Labor boss noted further that the Joint Labor Immigration Inspection will be done in two key stages, the initial enforcement and a follow-up process, which will target business entities not fully covered during the initial exercise.
The follow-up exercise, according to the Minister, is intended to take records of the activities, including their names, locations, among others, especially those that will not be able to show evidence, so that there will be a follow up to countercheck their compliance.
Minister Kruah stressed the importance both the LIS and the Ministry of Labor are contributing to the National Budget, and are working to make sure that they are more effective in the interest of the country.
Minister Kruah named Deputy Minister for Planning and Manpower Development, Steven S. Kolubah, as Head of The Joint Inspection Team, disclosing that it is divided into five teams.
“I want to say we are working for our country and we have to do it in an effective and professional manner to carry the good name of our Ministry and Institutions.
I like for us to work together because we are working for the same government, and it is our responsibility to make sure that this government is successful,” the Labor Minister told the gathering.
In brief remarks, the Head of the Joint Labor Enforcement Inspection Team, Deputy Minister Steven S. Kolubah, assured that the team, which will be deployed across Montserrado County, will exhibit high level of professionalism and commitment in the interest of the country.
For his part, LIS Head of Security, Henry Zargo, expressed happiness over the joint exercise, which, he recounted, has always been a yearly national initiative by the two government entities.
The ceremony was attended by representatives from the two project partners of Ministry of Labor, CETIS/ ZIP.
