Last Updated on June 11, 2025 by Blamo N. Toe
CAPITOL HILL, Liberia — The Liberian Senate is sharply divided over the controversial issuance of work permits to foreigners, exposing oversight failures at the Ministry of Labor and igniting calls to prioritize qualified Liberian citizens in the workforce.
The debate erupted Tuesday after the Senate Labor Committee disclosed that more than 10,000 work permits had been granted to non-Liberians—raising questions about whether the ministry is more focused on revenue generation than its core mandate to protect Liberian employment.
Nimely Urges Job Reclamation, $7M Budget Contribution
Sen. Thomas Yaya Nimely of Grand Gedeh County, chair of the Senate Labor Committee, urged the government to refocus its employment priorities toward Liberians. Citing figures from Labor Minister Cooper W. Kruah, Nimely declared, “From now on, all other work permits should be given back to the Liberian people so they can go back to work.” He also recommended that the Ministry of Labor contribute at least $7 million to the 2026 national budget, suggesting that such funds could support domestic employment efforts.
Dillon Disputes Revenue Motive, Clarifies Permit Fee Purpose
Montserrado County Sen. Abraham Darius Dillon, who chairs the Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs and Information, praised the committee’s findings but rejected the notion that work permit fees should serve as a revenue stream. “The issue of work permits and the fees cannot be hedged on revenue generation because that was not the purpose or intent,” Dillon said.
He explained that the fees are intended to deter employers from hiring foreigners for positions that Liberians are qualified to fill, referencing a prior increase from $400 to $1,000 as a policy tool.
“If you have to pay $5,000 for a work permit to bring somebody here to be a store boy, you will rather just employ a Liberian who is already here,” he said.
Warnings Over Budget Targets, Risks to Local Workers
River Cess County Sen. Wellington Geevon-Smith warned that imposing steep revenue targets on the Labor Ministry could have unintended consequences. “The Labor Ministry is a government entity that has no other means of generating revenue except through the issuance of work permits,” he said.
He urged coordination between the Labor Ministry, the Liberia Revenue Authority, and the Ministry of Finance to ensure revenue pressures do not result in the displacement of Liberian workers.
Senators Push for Data Review, Enforcement of Liberianization
Grand Cape Mount County Sen. Dabba Varpilah called on the Senate to mandate the Labor Committee to reassess the permit data and determine which jobs should be reserved exclusively for Liberians. Sen. Augustine S. Chea of Sinoe County emphasized the growing pool of qualified Liberians and questioned why foreigners continue to dominate key sectors.
“I don’t understand why our people should sacrifice for foreign labor when we have the needed Liberian professionals,” Chea said.
Budget Pressure Fuels Revenue vs. Jobs Debate
Maryland County Sen. J. Gbleh-bo Brown attributed some of the problem to broader budget expectations, noting that the Joint Budget Committee has pressured ministries to increase their financial contributions.
“There is a direct and clear correlation between the number of job permits issued and the amount of revenue the ministry contributes,” he said.
Bong County Sen. Prince K. Moye confirmed that the Ministry of Finance expects $10 million in revenue from work permit fees in the 2026 budget. “Until we take that decisive decision, we must act,” Moye said, urging the Senate to prioritize jobs for Liberians over financial targets.
Senate Leadership Demands Stronger Oversight
Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence expressed concern that revenue goals have overshadowed the Ministry of Labor’s responsibility to protect local jobs. “Our oversight must ensure that Liberian positions are not compromised,” she said, calling for a clearly defined list of positions reserved for Liberians.
Sen. James Emmanuel Nuquay agreed, warning that past legislation may have inadvertently weakened job protections. “This is the time to do the right thing,” he said.
Grand Kru Sen. Albert T. Chie and River Gee Sen. Francis S. Dopoe also recommended a full review of labor laws and concession agreements to ensure they align with Liberia’s employment protection standards.
Senators Advocate Higher Permit Fees as a Deterrent
Sen. Bill T. Tweywah of River Gee proposed a significant increase in permit fees to discourage the hiring of foreign workers. His position was supported by Sen. Alex J. Tyler of Bomi County, who argued that employing 10,000 Liberians could generate over $10 million annually in national economic value.
ECOWAS Example Underscores Value of Local Labor
Sen. Edwin Melvin Snowe of Bomi County dismissed any attempt to frame the Labor Ministry as a revenue agency. Citing ECOWAS hiring practices, he said that key positions are reserved for nationals within the bloc. “You can’t bring in a Sierra Leonean as a driver or sweeper unless that person fakes documents,” Snowe said, emphasizing the importance of protecting local employment.
Senate Orders Review, Demands Action from Labor Ministry
In the aftermath of the debate, the Senate instructed the Labor Committee to review the list of work permits and classify them into jobs that must be filled by Liberians and those needing further analysis. The committee is expected to report its findings within two weeks.
Lofa County Sen. Joseph Jallah made the motion, noting that the Labor Minister will be summoned to address the Senate before any final decision is made.
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