The Liberian Senate Committee on Labour on Thursday, during Plenary Session, delivered a report championing the mandatory inclusion of Liberians in every departmental structure of companies operating in Liberia.
The move is aimed at addressing growing concerns over the employment of foreign nationals in positions that qualified Liberians could occupy and ensuring meaningful skills transfer to the local labor force.
The report, presented by Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely, Chairman of the Senate Labor Committee, follows a June 4, 2025 appearance by the Minister of Labor before plenary.
The Minister was summoned to respond to concerns surrounding the issuance and regulation of work permits for foreign workers.
Following robust debate, the Senate mandated the Labor Committee to investigate and report on the matter with appropriate recommendations.
In its findings, the committee reviewed the job categories submitted by the Ministry of Labor and cross-referenced them with the Decent Work Act of 2015, particularly Chapter 45.
The Act explicitly prohibits the employment of foreign workers without valid work permits and outlines the conditions under which permits can be issued, including proof that no qualified Liberian is available for the position.
The Committee’s report emphasized a troubling lack of enforcement of the Decent Work Act by the Ministry of Labor.
It called for stricter compliance and recommended that the Ministry submit quarterly updates to the Senate detailing the number of jobs gained or lost within the Liberian labor market.
Among its key recommendations, the committee urged that all job vacancies be advertised and verified in accordance with the law, and that the Ministry take active steps to ensure such positions are filled by Liberians when qualified candidates exist.
Furthermore, before the expiration of any work permit, the Ministry should notify employers and the permit holders at least three months in advance, especially in cases where renewal may be denied.
A major highlight of the report is the Committee’s proposal that all institutions be required to employ at least one Liberian within each department be it mechanical, electrical, administrative, or otherwise.
This initiative, the Committee stated, would serve as a platform for skills transfer, allowing Liberians to gain experience either at entry-level or professional capacities.
The Senate Labor Committee reiterated its commitment to promoting employment opportunities for Liberians and ensuring that foreign employment practices do not undermine the country’s workforce development goals.
