Published: October 30, 2026
MONROVIA — The All Retired Citizens Association of Liberia (ARCAL) has called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to increase retirement benefits by 35%, order an independent audit of the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) and major concession companies, and repeal the Decent Work Act, accusing employers and public institutions of neglecting thousands of retirees.
The association, which claims to represent more than 198,000 retirees across Liberia’s 15 counties, said many former workers continue to endure economic hardship, unpaid retirement benefits and inadequate access to housing and healthcare despite decades of service.
Presenting a position statement Tuesday at the Executive Mansion in Monrovia, ARCAL National Chairman Rev. Kafa B. Teah described the treatment of retirees as inhumane and urged the government to intervene.
The group said an additional 6,000 workers are expected to retire in December, increasing the urgency of addressing longstanding concerns about retirement benefits and social protection.
ARCAL specifically accused Firestone Liberia in Margibi County, Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC) in Grand Bassa County, Bea Mountain in Bomi County and ArcelorMittal Liberia in Nimba County of unfair treatment and failure to settle retirement benefits.
The association maintained that retirees should not be subjected to hardship after contributing years of service to Liberia’s public and private sectors.
It argued that retirement benefits are legal entitlements rather than privileges granted at the discretion of employers or government institutions.
The group also raised concerns about NASSCORP’s handling of retirement benefits, alleging that many eligible beneficiaries have yet to receive payments despite years of contributions.
ARCAL questioned the corporation’s investment priorities, particularly its involvement in housing developments around Montserrado County, while retirees continue to face housing shortages and inadequate healthcare and welfare support.
According to the association, NASSCORP should place greater emphasis on meeting its obligations to retired workers and improving their living conditions.
The allegations against NASSCORP and the concession companies were presented in the association’s petition. Responses from the institutions were not included in the statement.
The retirees’ demands emerged from ARCAL’s first national convention, held June 25-28, 2026, in Voinjama, Lofa County.
During the convention, members adopted several recommendations aimed at improving retirement benefits, strengthening institutional accountability and expanding government support for elderly citizens.
Among the proposals is a 35% increase in retirement benefits to help beneficiaries cope with rising living costs.
The association is also requesting an executive order directing employers to settle outstanding retirement obligations and an annual government subsidy to support its operations.
ARCAL further called for the repeal of the Decent Work Act, which it criticized as contributing to economic hardship among retirees.
The association described aspects of the legislation as encouraging what it termed modern slavery and worsening poverty among former workers.
However, the petition did not identify specific provisions of the law that the association wants repealed.
In another major demand, ARCAL urged President Boakai to establish a special independent presidential task force to investigate NASSCORP and several concession companies.
The proposed audit would cover NASSCORP, LAC, Firestone Liberia, Bea Mountain, China Union and ArcelorMittal Liberia, focusing on activities during the administrations of former Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and George Manneh Weah.
The association said the investigation should establish whether retirees were denied benefits and determine the extent of any outstanding obligations.
ARCAL also appealed to the President to consider its recommendations ahead of his annual address to the Legislature in January 2027.
Beyond its financial demands, the association cautioned the administration against ignoring the concerns of retired citizens, arguing that governments risk losing public confidence when citizens believe their grievances are being neglected.
The group announced that it had declared President Boakai a full member of the association, citing its formal certification during his administration.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the President, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs Bill McGill Jones assured the retirees that their concerns would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities.
Jones explained that President Boakai and the minister of state were engaged in official duties and were therefore unavailable to receive the petition personally.
He commended the association for conducting its advocacy peacefully and described its approach as exemplary.
“All of the concerns you raise and recommendations are well received, I will submit it to the minister who is the chief of staff to the president, and in the shortest period of time she will brief the president about these issues, the president will look into it, the ones that are in line with the law he will look at it,” Jones said.
He explained that the government would review the petition to determine which recommendations could be addressed within existing legal frameworks.
Jones also highlighted what he described as improvements in the government’s retirement procedures through the Civil Service Agency.
According to him, civil servants approaching retirement now receive notifications three months in advance and participate in pre-retirement counseling intended to prepare them for the transition.
The deputy minister further urged ARCAL to remain focused on the welfare of retirees and avoid allowing political interests to undermine its advocacy.
“I don’t want us to put politics into this. People will come to you and say this thing you’re doing, we stand with you. It will be the opportunity for you to turn your organization into political organization or remain peaceful citizens who have worked to remain where you are,” he said.
Jones maintained that preserving the association’s nonpartisan character would help strengthen its credibility as it seeks government intervention.
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