-DI Employees Demand Unpaid Salaries and Benefits
Monrovia, Liberia —Employees of Democracy International’s Elections and Democracy Activity (EDA) in Liberia are speaking out against what they describe as a deliberate scheme to deny them rightful salaries and benefits following the abrupt shutdown of USAID-funded projects.
Workers allege that DI has refused to pay severance, retirement benefits (as outlined in its employee handbook), and remaining contract salaries up to September 30, 2025—claiming it can only do so with USAID approval. Employees call this demand unreasonable, accusing DI of imposing unfair preconditions instead of negotiating in good faith.
The EDA project, designed to strengthen Liberia’s electoral systems and democratic governance, employed dozens of local staff who now face financial hardship. Many say they feel abandoned by an organization that once championed transparency and accountability.
The situation escalated on April 17, 2025, when EDA’s Chief of Party, Antonetta Hamandishe, and Deputy Chief of Party, Askari Jafari, left Liberia without informing staff—including senior management.
“We arrived at the office on April 18 to collect personal belongings and handle asset disposition, only to learn from the landlord that they had left the night before,”* said one employee. *“No notice, no acknowledgment—just silence after years of service.”
Double Standard in Benefits Payment?
While DI employees struggle, workers from other USAID-funded programs in Liberia—including DAI, Mercy Corps, Winrock, and PSI—report receiving full contract payouts and benefits. This disparity has raised concerns about donor accountability and the unequal treatment of local staff during project closures.
The aggrieved staff are now demanding:
- Democracy International to immediately settle all unpaid salaries and benefits;
- USAIDto ensure transparency and enforce contractual obligations;
- **The Liberian government, through the Ministry of Labor, to intervene.
