Africa-Press – Liberia. The Plenary of the Liberian Senate has requested employers in Liberia, especially concessionaires to advertise all job vacancies in keeping with the laws of the country and desist from hiring aliens if Liberians are competent and qualified to occupy jobs being advertised.
Plenary is the highest decision-making body of the Liberian Senate.
The lawmakers took the decision during a regular session held in the Chamber of the Senate on Thursday, July 10, 2025 following the submission of a report from its Committee on Labour headed by Grand Gedeh County Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely.
The committee was mandated to launch a probe into issues surrounding the issuance and processing of Labour Work Permits to foreigners in Liberia.
The committee observed the lack of enforcement from the Ministry of Labour as mandated by Chapter 45.1 a)b)c) of the Decent Work Act of 2015 with reference to issuance of “Work Permit”.
Chapter 45.1 a)b)c) of the Act states that:
a) “An employer shall not employ a foreign worker unless they possess a current work permit issued by the ministry; b) A foreign worker shall not begin work in Liberia before they obtain a work permit in accordance with this part. c) The Ministry shall not issue a permit to work in Liberia unless it is satisfied that:
(i) there is no suitably qualified Liberian available to carry out the work required by the employer; and
(ii) the applicant satisfies the requirements for foreign residence in Liberia.”
The committee, however, recommended that the Minister of Labour Cllr. Cooper Kruah only issue Work Permits as mandated by the law and submit a quarterly report to the Senate through the Committee on Labour to include jobs gained and when possible, jobs losses to the Liberian Labour Market.
The committee also recommended that all job vacancies be advertised and verified via a documented report to the Ministry of Labour in keeping with the relevant provisions of the Decent Work Act.
“Further, the Ministry on the other hand must follow-up to ensure that the vacancies are occupied by Liberians.”
It added that prior to the expiration of any active work permit, the Ministry shall notify the institution /employer and or holder of the Work Permit three months in advance that the permit may not be renewed.
“In order to acquire job related experience and promote skills to the Liberian Labour Force, the committee on Labor also recommends that the Minister should require the institution to employ Liberians within each of its departments as a means of skills transfer. For example, a Mechanical department should hire a Liberian, Electrical department, etc. either as an entry level or professional.”
Meanwhile, the Senate has unanimously resolved to forward the recommendations from its Committee on Labour to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for possible actions.
The decision was reached following a motion filed by Grand Bassa County Senator Gbenzohngar Findley.
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