The Minister of Labor Minister, Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah, Sr., has, with immediate effect, revoked the alien work permits of 19 workers.
Speaking during a press conference held at the Ministry of Labor on Wednesday, Minister Kruah said the individuals will be forward to the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) for possible deportation on charges of distortion and/or misrepresentation.
Minister Kruah disclosed that the revoking of alien work permits is just the beginning of a major shakeup on-going within the labor sector under President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s administration, and that more is expected to come in the coming days.
He said the ministry will inform the general public on the activities of the Labor Ministry, especially on findings derived from the on-going alien work permits audit exercise launched across all foreign business entities in Liberia a few weeks ago. He disclosed that the audit exercise is intended to ensure strict compliance with the relevant provisions of the Decent Work Act, which prohibits misrepresentation to obtain a work permit.
The minister observed that, since his incumbency they have strived to ensure that businesses abide by the labor laws of the country, and those found in violation of the law have been fined or made to face other penal measures, “like we have announced today”.
He added that his administration has caused many qualified citizens to gain direct contractual and permanent employment with some companies. Among investment conglomerates whose expatriate workers were affected by the Labor Ministry’s Alien Work Permits Revocation action are United Motors corporation (UMC), Pee Cee & Sons, Stop & Shop Supermarket, ORCA, Boulevard Palace and International Aluminum Factory.
Meanwhile, Minister Kruah has announced the commencement of the second phase of the annual Student Vacation Job Program, aimed at providing financial subsidies to needy students.
The Labor Minister stated that, unlike last year when a little over 360 school-going youth benefited from the vacation job slots, this year’s project targets about 1,000 beneficiaries.
He lauded friendly investment companies for their continued support for the program, describing it as “the heartbeat of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s ARREST AGENDA” to empower the youthful population of the country.
