The Civil Society Network of Liberia (CSNL) has described as politically motivated and misleading allegations levied against the Minister of Labor, Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah, by Senator Abraham Darius Dillon and others—that the minister sold 8,000 work permits to foreigners under fraudulent circumstances. “This misinformation, being persistently spewed out by Senator Dillon, is not only a distortion of the fact but also intended to undermine the gains made by Minister Kruah at the Labor Ministry,” the group stated.
The Civil Society Network of Liberia underscored that the issuance of work permits is a regulated, transparent and security, related process subjected to specific provisions of the Decent Work Act of 2015 statutorily delegated to the Ministry of Labor.
In a release issued by CSNL on Thursday, June 19, 2025, the group said, “Despite Minister Kruah’s sincere legal responses to inquiries from senators regarding the issuance of work permits given to foreign nationals by the Labor Ministry, it is highly unfortunate that Senator Dillon has embarked on consistent attacks on the workings of Cllr. Kruah as Minister of Labor as an attempt to resurrect his fading political career through deceptive means. Senator Dillon’s proposal to the Liberian Senate’s for Cllr. Kruah to present information on all work permit holders and their job titles do not only amount to legislative tyranny, but a circumvention of its powers to target the Labor Minister.
“Chapter 45 Part 45.1a,b,c&d of the Decent Work Act of 2015 regarding Foreign Employment doesn’t give any definite mandate or instruction for the Ministry of Labor to issue work permit with specific job title. While the Legislature has oversight responsibility over the workings of agencies of the Executive branch, it lacks the authority to play the role of auditing institutions. The act of requesting for information surrounding the Labor Ministry’s issuance of work permits is tantamount to usurping the function of the General Auditing Commission (GAC), which has been statutorily legislated by the very Legislature to audit the operations of agencies of government.”
The Civil Society Network of Liberia said it is disgusted and troubled over Senator Dillon’s long-standing spearheaded campaign of political attacks against Cllr. Kruah. “Senator Dillion’s continued attacks and criticisms of the workings of Cllr. Kruah is a show of divisiveness and a politically self-serving gambit. It was this same Senator Dillon who influenced the Liberian Senate not to confirm Cllr. Cooper Kruah as Liberia’s Justice Minister, though there was no concrete reason for such decision,” the release added.
According to the release, “This is not just one of Senator Dillon’s political showboating actions, but another act of deception on his part. It is contradicting that after the Senate mandated the Ministry of Labor to generate US$10.5 million in revenue, of which work permit fees are a key part, yet Senator Dillon would thread on a debate without facts and merits.
“Furthermore, the Civil Society Network of Liberia views the Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), Mr. Josiah Joekai’s presentation to the Liberian Senate on the issuance of work permits to foreigners as not only a usurpation of functions and unbridled curiosity, but shows his support to Senator Dillon determined baseless attack against Labor Minister, Cllr. Cooper Kruah. Mr. Joekai’s action was a deliberate misstep that ignored the separation of duties within the public governance space, as the CSA has no role in the issuance of work permits to foreigners. As the supervisory agency for public sector workers, the CSA boss was in error for meddling into work permits for private sector workers, which is the statutory function bequeathed to the Ministry of Liberia. Hence, we urge the Director General of the CSA, Mr. Josiah Joekai, to remain within his bounds of functionaries to avoid potential conflicts in government.
“The Civil Society Network of Liberia believes calls on Senator Dillon to desist from his ongoing smear campaign and political rhetoric against Labor Minister, Cllr. Cooper, and focus on the real challenges facing the Liberian people in the areas of education, health, infrastructure and the economy. We urge the Liberian Senate to prioritize the growth and development of Liberian state, instead of focusing on issues intended to unnecessarily target officials of government.”