Africa-Press – Liberia. Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan has assured that the government is committed to upholding the minimum wage bill in the country.
Liberia Finance Minister, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, says the Government of Liberia remains fully committed to enforcing the national minimum wage in the public sector.
Minister Ngafuan’s assurance comes in response to huge public criticism that some civil servants earn below the legally mandated threshold of US$150 per month.
Addressing a news conference in Monrovia on Thursday, August 28, Minister Ngafuan said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m pleased to confirm that this commitment has been fully implemented.”
According to him, during the formulation of the 2025 national budget, President Boakai issued a clear directive, and the budget was adjusted accordingly to ensure that no central government employee earns below the minimum wage of US$150.
The Minister stated that the Decent Work Act, which governs labor standards across the Republic, mandates a minimum monthly wage of USD 150 for all workers, both in the public and private sectors.
He noted that though the Ministry of Labor is tasked with monitoring compliance in the private sector, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has taken full responsibility for ensuring that central government payrolls align with the law.
He clarified that reports of civil servants receiving less than US$150 stem from confusion between gross and net pay, noting that deductions like taxes, social security, and loan repayments—often personal or statutory—do not violate the minimum wage law.
Ngafuan further clarified that government salaries are disbursed in a dual-currency structure, with 70% paid in U.S. dollars and 30% paid in Liberian dollars. This arrangement, he says, coupled with an individual’s financial obligations, may impact the final take-home amount, but does not alter the official salary structure.
Recognizing the need for broader public understanding of these financial processes, he emphasized the importance of enhanced public education on matters of compensation and budgeting.
“We acknowledge that more must be done to improve public financial literacy. A well-informed public is essential for transparency and accountability, and we are committed to open communication,” he added.
Minister Ngafuan encouraged all government employees with questions or concerns regarding their pay to seek clarification through the appropriate administrative channels.
The clarification followed disagreement between the government and an ex-official of the Finance Ministry from the former ruling Congress for Democratic Change over US$63.3 million unaccounted in the Civil Service Wage bill, as indicated in the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning Mild-Term Fiscal Year Financial Report.
On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, former Assistant Minister of Finance, who is a staunch member of the opposition CDC, Benedict Kolubah, and the Director General of the Civil Service Agency, Dr. Josiah Joekai engaged in heated argument, regarding increment in the wage bill of the country, despite removing ghost names from the payroll and making no additional appointment in the Civil Service.
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