By Vaye Lepolu
The Ministry of Labor has unveiled its annual report for 2024, highlighting significant contributions to the national budget of the Republic of Liberia across various departments. Notably, the Division of Alien Registration and Liberalization emerged as a key driver of revenue collection during the review period, underscoring its vital role in the ministry’s operations.
The Division of Alien Registration and Liberalization is tasked with the overall supervision of work permits for foreign nationals seeking employment in Liberia. This includes the processing and issuance of work permits, ensuring that all foreign workers comply with the legal requirements set forth by the government.
In accordance with Section 1507 of the Labor Law of Liberia (DWA), employers are prohibited from hiring non-Liberians unless they possess a valid work permit issued by the Ministry of Labor. The Alien Work Permit system categorizes permits into three distinct groups: Non-African Aliens, Non-ECOWAS African Aliens, and ECOWAS African Aliens, each of which can be granted as Gratis, Regular, or ECOWAS permits.
Throughout the review period, the division received numerous applications from individuals and institutions seeking Alien Permits, in alignment with its mandate. With the endorsement of Minister of Labor Cooper Kruah, hundreds of permits and related documents were issued to qualified applicants, adhering to the relevant laws of Liberia.
Reflecting on the statistical outcomes of the division’s activities, Labor Minister Kruah shared the following data: Regular permits issued totaled 9,468, Gratis permits 948, and ECOWAS permits 558, bringing the total to 10,974, with 857 applications denied. The processed and approved applicants included 8,792 Regular, 887 Gratis, and 438 ECOWAS permits, culminating in a total of 10,117 successful applications.
In addition to its notable achievements, the Ministry of Labor has made significant advancements in the processing of renewals and new applications, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the Alien Registration and Liberalization process. During the review period, the ministry processed 7,633 renewal applications, which account for 75% of the total, while 2,484 new applications constituted 25%, leading to a combined total of 10,117 applications processed.
Labour Minister Cllr. Cooper Kruah provided gender-sensitive statistics regarding the applicants: 1,315 (13%) were female, while 8,802 (87%) were male. Additionally, the breakdown of applicants by nationality revealed that 6,980 (69%) were Non-African Aliens, 2,699 (27%) were Non-ECOWAS African Aliens, and 434 (4%) were ECOWAS Aliens.
During the review period, the Division of Alien Registration and Liberalization generated a total of US$9,013,200.00 in revenue from the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) through payments for Alien work permits. The revenue was collected in quarterly segments: US$1,837,871.00 from January to March, US$2,221,824.00 from April to June, US$2,646,361.00 from July to September, and US$2,307,144.00 from October to December.
Minister Kruah also addressed challenges faced by the Ministry of Labor, particularly within the Division of Alien Registration and Liberalization. He noted a lack of logistical support, including essential stationery, ICT equipment, laptops, internet access, and printers, which hampers the division’s operational efficiency.
He also revealed tha from the Division of Labor Standards, 85 cases were settled through conciliation, while 114 cases remain ongoing, with no cases dismissed. Additionally, two cases are pending investigation, seven cases have been transferred for hearing, 32 cases have been concluded and are awaiting rulings, and seven cases have been abandoned, bringing the total number of cases in 2024 to 277.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Labor, through the Department of Labor Standards, has disbursed a total of LRD 4,564,759.16, equivalent to US$302,292.56, to parties in whose favor decisions or judgments were rendered. The ministry says it remains committed to fostering a fair and transparent labor environment while supporting the economic development of Liberia.
