In a significant move to prioritize employment opportunities for Liberian job seekers, Labour Minister Hon. Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah, Sr. announced the suspension of work permit issuance and renewals for unskilled expatriates. This decision will take effect upon the expiration of current Alien Work Permits for unskilled expatriates employed by major foreign investment firms.
The announcement follows Minister Kruah’s recent tour of several foreign-owned companies in Nimba County, including Arcelor Mittal and AFCONS. During this visit, he received numerous complaints from local workers about the excessive number of unskilled expatriates filling roles that Liberians are qualified to perform.
Minister Kruah emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that Liberians have first preference for jobs, stating, “We cannot continue to allow our foreign investment partners to hire unskilled expatriates for jobs that Liberians can perform.” He urged affected companies to replace unskilled expatriates with qualified Liberians.
Additionally, Minister Kruah requested companies to submit detailed employee rosters and salary information for review, aimed at addressing disparities between local and expatriate workers. He addressed various issues raised by local workers, such as poor working conditions and delays in salary payments, and called for the establishment of workplace unions to enhance communication with management.
The Minister also mandated compliance with the Decent Work Act, ensuring that companies provide necessary benefits and working conditions. In discussions with CEOs from major companies, assurances were given regarding ongoing training programs for Liberians to eventually assume more skilled roles.
Workers expressed gratitude for Minister Kruah’s efforts to address their concerns, marking a positive step towards improving labor conditions in Liberia.
