The Liberian Senate is drawing a hard line against the systemic betrayal of local workers—and Labor Minister Cllr. Cooper Kruah is squarely in the crosshairs. In a blistering session on May 20, 2025, lawmakers delivered an unmissable ultimatum: Produce a full list of foreign work permits in two weeks—or face the consequences.
The Outrage:
- Over 8,000 permits handed to foreign nationals—no job descriptions, no transparency.
- Liberian jobs stolen while Minister Kruah’s office ignores the Decent Work Act.
- Blatant violations of Sections 7.1 and 45.9, which explicitly protect local employment.
Senator Abraham Darius Dillon torched the Ministry’s excuses:
*”The law demands 30-day job ads before foreign hires. Why are our people sidelined while outsiders take their livelihoods? Negligence? Or corruption?”*
President Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence vowed Senate action:
“This ends NOW. Liberia’s jobs belong to Liberians—no more loopholes, no more lies.”
Why This Matters:
- Street vendors, petty traders—even these informal jobs are illegally going to non-Africans (a direct violation of Section 3).
- No “certificate of non-availability”—meaning employers aren’t even checking for local talent first.
- Public fury is boiling over: Liberians accuse Kruah of selling out workers to foreign interests.
The Deadline: First week of June. The Demand: Full transparency. The Stakes: Liberia’s economic sovereignty.