Labor Minister Cllr Cooper Kruah informed the Plenary of the Liberian Senate on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, that the Ministry issued only 2,484 work permits in 2024. It can be recalled that Minister Kruah came under mounting criticisms over the ministry’s alleged issuance of more than 8,000 work permits to non-Liberians without disclosing job descriptions or roles a practice lawmakers said violates national labor laws and disadvantages qualified Liberian workers.
Kruah appeared before the Liberian Senate on May 20, 2025, following multiple summons from lawmakers. This was prompted by Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, who expressed frustration over the Ministry’s ongoing approval of work permits for foreign nationals in positions that are legally reserved for Liberians.
During the session, Minister Kruah stated that a list had been submitted to the Secretary of the Senate, as requested, detailing all foreign nationals with work permits, their places of employment, and the categories or titles associated with each work permit holder.
The Labor Minister reported that, during the review period, a total of 7,633 work permits were processed, with 75% of these being renewals. He explained, “These renewed work permits were granted to foreigners who were already employed in various concessions and businesses in Liberia before our administration. In contrast, 2,484 permits, or 25% of the total, were for new applications submitted during our administration in 2024.”
He further noted that of the work permits issued, 8,802 (87%) were granted to males and 1,315 (13%) to females, totaling 10,117 work permits. Regarding the nationalities of the applicants, Minister Kruah specified that 6,980 permits (69%) were issued to non-African aliens, 2,699 permits (27%) to non-ECOWAS African aliens, and 438 permits (4%) to ECOWAS aliens.
