Africa-Press – Liberia. Barely eight months since his appointment by President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Labor Minister, Cooper W. Kruah has made significant strides in his efforts to prioritize employment for Liberians through the “Liberians First for Job Placement Policy,” a key initiative under the government’s ARREST AGENDA.
This policy, according to the Ministry of Labor press release, aims to ensure that Liberians are given top priority in both formal and informal employment sectors, particularly within foreign-owned companies.
Minister Kruah’s approach, which extends beyond the Ministry’s traditional role of resolving labor disputes, has focused on reviewing labor practices and work conditions for Liberians, with a strong emphasis on job placement, fair treatment, and on-the-job training by foreign partners.
As part of this initiative, the Labor Ministry has intensified its review of Alien Work Permits, significantly curtailing the number of permits issued to expatriates in positions that qualified Liberians could fill.
“We are taking a close look at the issuance of Alien Work Permits. The days of foreign workers occupying jobs that qualified Liberians can do are coming to an end,” Minister Kruah stated. “This is the first step in protecting the interests of Liberian workers. We must ensure our citizens are prioritized.”
Minister Kruah began his nationwide Labor Inspection Tour at Bea Mountain Mining Company and Western Cluster, advocating for the transition of short-term contract workers to permanent employment with full benefits.
“We will no longer accept the practice of offering short-term contracts to Liberians while providing permanent positions to expatriates in other parts of the world,” said Kruah during his visit. “Our people deserve stable, long-term employment, and we will work to ensure they receive the same benefits as their counterparts in other countries, including Zambia.”
The Minister extended this call for reform during his visit to several foreign-owned companies in Grand Bassa County, including Capital Link Cement Company, ArcelorMittal, and its subcontractors. In meetings with company management, Kruah reiterated the need to prioritize Liberians for managerial roles.
“Foreign companies operating here must elevate qualified Liberians to top-level positions. This is not just about jobs—it’s about the future of our workforce and economy,” he emphasized.
The tour also allowed Minister Kruah to address issues raised by Liberian workers, including unfair labor practices such as denial of overtime, lack of annual leave benefits, and non-unionized contract workers.
“Every worker in Liberia has rights under the Decent Work Act, and we will ensure those rights are upheld,” Minister Kruah vowed. “Whether it’s fair wages, rest periods, or the right to form unions, we will enforce these laws to protect our people.”
In one notable case during his Grand Bassa tour, Minister Kruah successfully intervened in the illegal dismissal of a Capital Link Cement Company employee, Amos Tommy, resulting in his immediate reinstatement.
Despite the challenges faced by some companies, many have expressed their willingness to comply with labor regulations. Alistar Taylor, CEO of PSS, a subcontractor of ArcelorMittal, acknowledged the logistical difficulties of transitioning short-term contractors to permanent employees but affirmed his company’s commitment to the Labor Ministry’s policies.
“We understand the Minister’s position and are committed to following through on these policies,” Taylor stated. “However, we face some limitations due to short-term agreements with our mother institution, ArcelorMittal.”
Other companies echoed this sentiment, with Jihad Mourad, Operating Manager of Capital Link Cement Company, emphasizing their ongoing efforts to meet the Labor Ministry’s expectations.
“We appreciate the Minister’s engagement and are committed to ensuring compliance with labor regulations to improve conditions for our Liberian workforce,” Mourad said.
To formalize these efforts, Minister Kruah has established a technical work committee chaired by his Chief of Office Staff, Mr. Stanley Barh. This committee is tasked with reviewing employment records, payrolls, and other relevant documents from foreign companies to ensure compliance with the “Liberians First” policy and the Decent Work Act.
“Our goal is to ensure that Liberians have a stake in their own economy,” said Minister Kruah. “This committee will help us identify areas where companies need to make changes, and we will hold them accountable.”
The committee will assess positions currently occupied by expatriates, the number of Alien Work Permits issued, and employment conditions to ensure that qualified Liberians are prioritized for all available jobs.
Liberian workers, particularly those in Grand Bassa County, have welcomed Minister Kruah’s active engagement and commitment to their well-being.
“This is the first time we’ve had a Labor Minister come out and listen to our concerns. We feel like our voices are finally being heard,” one worker commented during a meeting with the Minister.
The workers also appealed to the government to ensure that their rights under the Decent Work Act—such as technical training, economic benefits, and unionization—are fully enforced.
With Minister Kruah’s “Liberians First” policy gaining momentum, there is optimism that Liberia’s labor sector is on a path toward more equitable job opportunities and improved working conditions for its citizens.
“We are just getting started,” Kruah stated. “Liberians will no longer be last in line for jobs in their own country. We will make sure that every worker is treated fairly, trained adequately, and given the opportunities they deserve.”
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