Published: March 4, 2026
MONROVIA — Montserrado County District 3 Representative Sumo K. Mulbah on Tuesday defended the Minimum Wage Bill recently passed by the House of Representatives, urging the Senate to advance the measure and describing it as a major step toward improving wages and working conditions for private-sector employees.
Speaking to reporters following the bill’s passage on March 3, Mulbah said the legislation seeks to raise compensation standards across multiple sectors while strengthening labor protections for workers who have long faced low wages.
“As this bill is sent to the Senate, I say to the honorable senators: you are entrusted with the responsibility to advance the welfare of Liberia’s labor force,” Mulbah said.
Wage Reform
The proposed legislation amends Section 3 of Liberia’s Decent Work Act, increasing the general private-sector minimum wage to $250 per month and establishing revised wage levels across several employment categories.
Under the measure, skilled workers in concession areas would see their wages increase from $143 to $250 per month, while cashiers and unskilled workers would receive $200 monthly, up from $91.
The bill also proposes raising wages for employees of foreign-owned businesses and large corporations, where skilled workers would earn a minimum of $250 per month and unskilled workers $200.
Domestic workers and casual skilled laborers would see their minimum wages increase from $91 to $120 per month, while teachers in private and international schools would receive a minimum salary of $150 monthly, up from about $100. Wages for unskilled workers in those institutions would increase from $91 to $120.
For local businesses and small enterprises, the legislation proposes a minimum wage of $150 per month for skilled workers, with adjustments for unskilled workers aimed at improving compensation levels.
Mulbah said the changes are intended to ensure that workers across sectors receive wages that better reflect the value of their labor.
“These revisions ensure that all sectors, from domestic labor to private enterprises and foreign corporations, provide salaries that reflect the value of the work performed and support the well-being of Liberians,” he said.
Economic Context
Mulbah argued that wage reforms must accompany Liberia’s broader economic progress, including infrastructure investments and efforts to stabilize inflation.
He said businesses operating in Liberia, particularly concession companies and foreign-owned enterprises, must contribute to improving the living standards of workers.
“We too can enhance our country by improving the living standards of our citizens,” Mulbah said.
Senate Review
The legislation now moves to the Liberian Senate, where lawmakers are expected to examine implementation timelines, enforcement mechanisms and the potential economic impact on businesses.
If enacted, the bill would represent one of the most significant revisions to Liberia’s wage structure in recent years, potentially affecting thousands of workers across the private sector.
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