LIBERIA: After Generating Over US$5M Labour Ministry Takes Alien Work Permit Exercise To S/East

After generating over US$5M in the first half of the year from alien work permits and other associated revenue activities, the Ministry of Labour is not set to roll the exercise into Southeastern Liberia

Speaking at a news conference held at the Labor Ministry in Congo Town on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, Labour Minister Cllr. Cooper Kruah indicated that the exercise is expected to commence August 15, 2024 in the Southeast, and will raise additional revenue to the already US$5,069,536.63 collected in the first half of the year.

According to Minister Kruah, the exercise is one of government’s major sources of revenue generation at the Ministry of Labour.

“In the month of July alone we collected over million United States Dollars. We like to continue with that exercise, because what we not cover the south east during the exercise in July. We want the public to be aware that our team will be there,” said the Labor Ministry boss.

“We have been having a cordial working relationship with the LRA and Immigration. We will also work with Immigration and LRA in the Southeast.”

The Southeast is believed to be one of the major bases of ECOWAS citizens, and so the government is expected to generate more income from the pending exercise there.

But as the government gets set to move in that region of the country, Minister Kruah has issued a stern warning to ECOWAS citizens residing there to avoid making payment to labor ministry inspectors, as doing so will be at their own detriment.

Minister Kruah explained that people within the informal sector such as those doing mini businesses are to pay minimum amount of US$100 annually, while those in the formal sector, such as those working with financial institutions are tasked to pay US$1,000.

“This upcoming exercise will cover only those in the informal sector. What we did in the month of July we invited the leaderships of all the ECOWAS citizens in Liberia. Their leaderships asked us for a month grace period and so this is the month.

However, he quickly clarified that ECOWAS citizens who have naturalized are not to pay any of these required fees, adding: “If you know that you are naturalized citizen, just identify yourself.”

“Let me firstly sound out this caveat; don’t pay any money to our inspectors. LRA will be there to guide the process and so any money paid to individuals in the name of labor inspectors is at your own risk.”

On the other hand of the divide, Minister Kruah has also threatened drastic administrative actions against any inspectors caught dubiously soliciting money from aliens for work.

“We will take some drastic action against any Labor Inspector who takes money from people. We are working to promote government’s image and to bring government into public disrepute. For the past months, out inspectors have been working very diligently.”

In a related development, Minister Kruah has announced that Liberia’s third biggest rubber plantation – the Salala Rubber Plantation has pulled out of the country following recent violent protest by employees that led to the destruction of huge assets.

“We have been working with the management to pay off all the employees there. It can be recalled that workers went on the rampage and destroyed nearly all of the establishments. They burned down structures, vehicles and other major assets. The company informed me that it has written its board to close temporarily. They have been paying; about 75 to 80 percent are being paid. They have assured us that they will raise money to reopen if necessary,” Minister Kruah added.