The Director General of the Civil Service Agency, Josiah F. Joekai, has revealed that an increasing number of foreigners are occupying jobs that should be designated for Liberians.
He made this statement on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, while presenting a report on the analysis of the 2024 Alien Work Permit Report, which was submitted to the Liberian Senate by Minister of Labor Cllr. Cooper Kruah.
According to Director Joekai, a total of 10,103 work permits were issued to foreign nationals in Liberia. These work permits fall into three categories:
- Regular Permits: There were 8,792 regular permits issued, accounting for 87.02%. These permits are typically for long-term employment in various sectors, subject to the Ministry’s assessment of local labor availability.
- ECOWAS Permits: A total of 438 permits, representing 4.34%, were issued to citizens of ECOWAS member states. These permits facilitate regional labor mobility under specific agreements.
- GRATIS Permits: There were 873 GRATIS permits, which constitute 8.65%. These are often granted to humanitarian, non-profit, or specialized roles, primarily within non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or for individuals providing services to the Liberian government without direct payment from a private employer.
Director Joekai informed the senators that the highest number of work permits, totaling 4,625, were given to foreign nationals, with Indians making up the largest proportion at 51.79%. This was followed by workers from Turkey, China, Lebanon, Zambia, and other countries.
He specifically mentioned that among the notable companies employing foreign nationals, AFCONS had 3,319 workers, Bea Mountain Mining Company employed 1,895, ArcelorMittal Liberia had 728, Jetty Trading had 130, and several others also contributed to the numbers.
According to him, around 3,000 Indians working under AFCONS are filling positions that should ideally be held by Liberians. These roles include Engineer (518), Manager (382), Senior Engineer (261), Mechanical Engineer (208), Crane Operator (194), and many others. The full list encompasses various specialized positions such as Chemist, Electrical Specialist, and Quality Controller.
Director Joekai pointed out that of the regular permits issued, Liberians are eligible for 6,156 of the 8,792 positions. In the ECOWAS category, they are eligible for 314 of the 438 positions. He also noted that the issuance of 7,032 work permits to foreign nationals for roles specifically designated as “Reserved for Liberian Nationals” is a significant concern.
He emphasized that the findings of the report highlight the urgent need for a stronger and more proactive approach to managing foreign work permits in Liberia. While acknowledging the value that specialized foreign expertise can bring to national development, he asserted that the employment of foreign nationals should not come at the expense of Liberians’ right to work and prosper in their own country.
Joekai called for collective efforts to secure current job opportunities for Liberians and to build a foundation for future generations, ultimately fostering a truly prosperous and self-reliant Liberia.
