The Senate Committee on Labor, in its recommendations to the Plenary, disclosed that the Ministry of Labor lacks the enforcement willpower as an institution mandated by Chapter 45 of the Decent Work Act regarding the issuance of “Work Permit”.
The Senate Labor Committee submitted a report to Plenary on Thursday, July 10, 2025, on the Ministry of Labor’s issuance of alien work permits to foreign workers in Liberia, recommending that the Minister of Labor should only issue Work Permits as mandated by law, and submit a quarterly report to the Senate through the Committee on Labor inclusive of jobs gained, and when possible, jobs losses to the Liberian labor market.
The Committee said all job vacancies should be advertised and verified via a documented report to the Ministry of Labor in keeping with the relevant provisions of the Decent Work Act. The report states that the Ministry must ensure that vacancies are filled by Liberians. Additionally, before the expiration of any active work permit, the Ministry is required to notify the institution or employer, as well as the holder of the work permit, three months in advance to prevent the renewal of the permit.
The Committee’s recommendations suggest skills transfer in order to acquire job-related experience and promote skills in the Liberian Labor force, and that the Minister should require the institution to employ Liberians within each of its departments as a means of skills transfer. “For example, a Mechanical department should hire a Liberian, Electrical department, etc. either as an entry-level or professional,” the Labor Committee said.
The Committee further said they reviewed the different categories of jobs listed in the report submitted by the Ministry of Labor and reviewed the Decent Work Act (DWA) of 2015 with specific reference to Chapter 45, section 45.1 a)b)c) i, which provides as follows, “An employer shall not employ a foreign worker unless they possess a current work permit issued by the ministry, a foreign worker shall not begin work in Liberia before they obtain a work permit in accordance with this part and the Ministry shall not issue a permit to work in Liberia unless it is satisfied.”
