Liberia’s Labour Minister, Hon. Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah, Sr., has immediately revoked the work permits of 19 expatriate workers, citing “distortion or misrepresentation” in their applications. The affected individuals will be forwarded to the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) for possible deportation as part of a broader government initiative.
During a press conference yesterday at the EJS Ministerial Complex, Minister Kruah announced that this action marks the beginning of a significant shakeup within the labor sector under President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s “Rescue Mission Government.” He emphasized that the ongoing
Alien Work Permits Audit Exercise
, launched weeks ago, aims to ensure strict compliance with the
Decent Work Act
, which prohibits misrepresentation in obtaining work permits.
“Since our incumbency, we have striven to ensure that businesses abide by the Labour Laws of our country, and those found in violation of our laws have been fined or made to face other penal measures, like we have announced today,” Minister Kruah stated.
The Minister also highlighted his administration’s success in securing direct contractual and permanent employment for many qualified Liberian citizens with various companies. Investment conglomerates whose expatriate workers were impacted by this revocation include
United Motors Corporation (UMC), Pee Cee & Sons, Stop & Shop Supermarket, ORCA, Boulevard Palace, and International Aluminum Factory.
In other news, Minister Kruah announced the launch of the second phase of the
Annual Students Vacation Job Program
, designed to provide financial subsidies to needy students. This year’s program aims to support approximately 1,000 beneficiaries, a significant increase from last year’s 300 participants. The Labour Minister lauded “friendly investment companies” for their continued support, describing the program as “The Heartbeat of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s ARREST AGENDA” to empower Liberia’s youth.
