Published: June 18, 2025
Monrovia, Liberia — The Civil Service Agency (CSA) has revealed that thousands of jobs legally reserved for Liberians were unlawfully granted to foreign nationals in 2024, in what is now being described as one of the most egregious violations of Liberia’s labor laws in recent memory.
Appearing before the Liberian Senate, CSA Director-General Josiah Joekai delivered a searing indictment of the Ministry of Labour, disclosing that 7,032 of the 10,103 work permits issued in 2024—nearly 70%—were for positions protected under the Decent Work Act of 2015, which mandates that certain jobs be filled by Liberian citizens unless it can be proven that no qualified Liberian is available.
“The data shows a troubling pattern,” Joekai told lawmakers. “Thousands of jobs that should have gone to Liberians were instead filled by foreign workers—many from India, which alone accounted for 51.79% of foreign hires, followed by Turkey and China.”
The CSA report highlighted that positions such as engineers, sales managers, accountants, human resource officers, and finance directors—designated as “Liberianized” roles under law—were frequently granted to foreign workers without evidence of proper advertisement or labor market testing.
Clashing Accounts and Rising Tension
Joekai’s appearance was triggered by mounting pressure from lawmakers, including Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, who raised alarm over the unchecked issuance of work permits. His concerns echo those of other senators who have accused the Ministry of Labour of violating Chapter 7, Section 7.1 and Chapter 45, Section 45.9 of the Decent Work Act, as well as Revised Regulation No. 17 of 2019, which collectively prohibit the issuance of permits for jobs in the informal sector to non-African nationals and require a 30-day public vacancy posting before hiring foreign labor.
Despite these requirements, Joekai stated that no documentation was provided to verify whether these steps were followed, suggesting a systematic bypassing of procedures that directly disadvantage the Liberian workforce.
Earlier this month, Labor Minister Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah has defended his ministry’s actions. Presenting his own detailed report to the Senate on June 3, Kruah acknowledged that 10,117 permits were processed in 2024—7,633 renewals and 2,484 new approvals—but insisted that the bulk of the permits were for individuals already working in Liberia prior to his appointment.
“The perception of mass new approvals for foreign labor is misleading,” Kruah said. “We are building a labor system that is fair, accountable, and supportive of our citizens.”
He also noted that 75% of the permits were renewals, with only 25% newly issued. However, the CSA’s findings appear to contradict this defense, pointing to 6,156 regular permits, 314 ECOWAS, and 562 GRATIS permits—many for roles Liberians are qualified to fill.
Breakdown by Employer and Nationality
Among the largest foreign labor employers were:
- AFCONS Construction: 3,319 permits
- BEA Mountain Mining Corporation: 1,895 permits
- ArcelorMittal Liberia: 728 permits
Additionally, nationality data from Kruah’s report showed that:
- 6,980 permits (69%) went to non-African nationals
- 2,699 permits (27%) to African nationals outside ECOWAS
- 438 permits (4%) to ECOWAS citizens
Gender data showed a stark imbalance: 8,802 men (87%) versus 1,315 women (13%).
Senate Friction and Accusations of Overreach
While Joekai’s testimony earned praise from some senators for shedding light on the abuse of labor policies, others expressed frustration. Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely, Chair of the Senate Committee on Labour, accused the CSA chief of bypassing legislative protocols by addressing plenary instead of coordinating through the committee.
“He should be more focused on managing the CSA rather than encroaching on labor matters,” Nimely said, visibly irritated.
The tension underscores growing rifts within government institutions over how labor and concession matters are being handled—particularly as Liberia grapples with youth unemployment, brain drain, and the rising dominance of foreign contractors across key sectors.
Call for Urgent Reform
Joekai wrapped up his Senate testimony with a strong appeal for national action. He urged lawmakers to enforce the Decent Work Act, improve labor market assessments, and expand vocational training to address skills gaps that have long been used as justification for foreign hiring.
“This issue is not just about legal compliance,” Joekai declared. “It’s about economic justice and giving our people a fair chance to earn a living in their own country.”
The Senate has since resolved to hold further hearings, with a possible recall of Minister Kruah for questioning. The fate of thousands of unemployed Liberians—and the credibility of Liberia’s labor governance system—now hangs in the balance.
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