By Bill W. Cooper
Labour Minister Cooper Kruah risk contempt charges from the Liberian Senate if he fails to provide a comprehensive list of all work permits issued to foreigners in the country within the next two weeks.
The situation followed a formal complaint by Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, who raised concerns about the increasing number of jobs being allocated to foreign nationals at the expense of Liberian citizens.
Sen. Dillon, for the past months, has been vocal about the need for transparency and accountability in the issuance of work permits, arguing that the current trend undermines the employment opportunities available to Liberians.
In his letter to his colleagues, Dillon said, “I acknowledge that Chapter 7 Section 7.1 and Chapter 45 and Section 45.9 respectively of the Decent Work Act authorize the Ministry of Labour to issue Regulations for the issuance of Work Permit to aliens, foreigners and or non-Liberians.”
He said, “Under this authority, the Ministry of Labour issued a Revised Regulation No.17 (2019), setting the conditions for foreign workers in Liberia. However, Section 3 of the Regulation of 2019 states No Permit shall be issued to a non-African alien to work in the informal sector.”
“Additionally, no Permit shall be issued to any alien to engage in any of the businesses set aside by law exclusively for Liberians. (Emphasis)! Moreover, Section 6 of the 2019 Regulation carries that.
Except as otherwise provided by law, an employer who seeks to employ must first convince the Ministry of Labor that he-she cannot find a suitable Liberian for an existing vacancy, by showing proof of publication of information regarding such vacancy for at least one month, in at least two local newspaper and on two local radio stations, as well as on two Liberian websites,” he said.
According to him, such employer should obtain a certificate from the Ministry of Labor as proof of the non-availability of a suitable Liberian, and until such proof is shown, the Ministry, consistent with Chapter 45, Section 45.1(c)I of the Decent Work Act, not issue work permit to an alien, even if such alien has a resident permit.
He maintained, “My concern is that from time to time, year in and year out, the Ministry of Labour has and continues to issue out and renew Work Permits to non-Liberians, especially for some skilled and unskilled jobs for which Liberians are suitable and readily available for such employments.”
“This runs contrary to the purpose and intent of the Law. Pro Tempore and Colleagues, it is my fervent hope that the Plenary will consider the importance of this concern and endorse my request to cite the Minister of Labour to address this serious matter to help alleviate the unemployment of our people in the private sector,” Dillon added.
Responding to the Senator’s concerns while appearing before the plenary yesterday, May 20, 2025, Minister Kruah failed to provide all of the necessary documents as requested by the Senator, coupled with a failure to provide accurate information on the matter.
He said, “Madam Pro-Temp and Senators, we are doing all we can to ensure Liberians’ jobs are protected, but we met a system at the Ministry of Labour when we took over, and that is the system we are working with.”
“So, once we receive a request from any foreign nationals, we take a note and that person will then follow all of the prescribed procedures and thereafter go to the Liberia Revenue Authority to process their payment before being issued the permit.
Again, this government has made efforts to regulate the labour market and ensure that foreign workers are only employed in positions where there are no qualified Liberians available,” Minister Kruah added.
But several Senators were not pleased with the Minister’s response, thus leading the Minister to be given a two-week deadline to comply with the Senate’s request, and failure to do so could result in serious repercussions, including a contempt charge.
