By By: Alphanso G. Kalama
Capitol Hill, Monrovia – Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon has officially requested the Liberian Senate to summon Labor Minister Cllr. Cooper Kruah to address critical issues surrounding the issuance of work permits to non-Liberians.
In his appeal, Dillon raised urgent concerns about what he perceives as violations of labor regulations designed to prioritize job opportunities for Liberians in both skilled and unskilled sectors. He referenced the Decent Work Act, particularly Chapter 7, Section 7.1 and Chapter 45, Section 45.9, which grants the Ministry of Labor the authority to issue work permits but also imposes strict conditions.
According to the Revised Regulation No. 17 (2019), employers must demonstrate that a suitable Liberian candidate is unavailable before applying for a foreign worker’s permit. This includes advertising job vacancies in two local newspapers and on two radio stations for at least a month, along with obtaining a certificate from the Ministry confirming the lack of a qualified Liberian.
Despite these regulations, Dillon expressed alarm that the Ministry has continued to issue and renew permits for foreign nationals, even in cases where qualified Liberians are readily available. He argues that this practice undermines efforts to combat rising unemployment, particularly in the private sector.
“Each year, the Ministry of Labor issues permits for positions where qualified Liberians exist. This directly contradicts the Decent Work Act and exacerbates our unemployment crisis,” Dillon stated.
Dillon called on his Senate colleagues to treat this matter with urgency, emphasizing the detrimental impact on the local labor market. He is pushing for the Senate to support his request to question Minister Kruah and ensure corrective actions align with national labor laws.
In a related development, the Ministry of Labor announced on October 21, 2024, a suspension of work permit issuance for foreign nationals. Dillon’s communication has been forwarded to the Senate’s Committee on Labor for further examination.
