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ADNews-Monrovia, Liberia:A pro-labour right civil society group, Liberia Labuor Partners (LLP), has alarmed over what it describes as a politically calculated campaign of character assassination against Labour Minister, Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah Sr.
By Contributing writer
Prominent and consistent among many attacks directed at Minister Kruah, is the vocal stance of Montserrado County Senator, Abraham Darius Dillon, accusing the Minister of giving out to foreigners and aliens jobs that Liberians so badly need and are qualified to do.
LLP, on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, told reporters that the Ministry of Labor, under Minister Cooper Kruah, has demonstrated courage and willingness to positively respond to the cry of Liberians for government to take steps aimed at discouraging the influx of foreigners and aliens occupying positions and doing jobs that Liberians are qualified and capable of doing, thus undermining all efforts to tackle the country’s high rate of unemployment and income difficulties.
The group recalled how many aggrieved and job-seeking Liberians celebrated former Labour Minister, Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe, when he, amidst fierce resistance from multi-million dollar foreign concessions and other employers, succeeded in taking the cost of work permit from around US$300 to up to US$1000, with the aim of reducing the influx of aliens and foreigners rushing for jobs that Liberians are qualified and capable of doing.
LLP also recalled that upon his nomination as Minister of Labour by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Cllr. Kruah made a solemn pledge to make the Ministry of Labour responsive to the genuine cries and wishes of Liberians and pursue policies and programs that address the critical needs of Liberians, bridging debilitating gaps in the country’s labour market.
Meanwhile, the Liberia Labour Partners has acknowledged the view expressed by the
Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, Attorney Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah, questioning the sincerity of Montserrado County Senator Darius Dillon’s recent comments on the issuance of work permits in Liberia, saying his advocacy doesn’t add up,0 and fails to acknowledge the Legislature’s direct role in setting national revenue targets.
Attorney Kruah said she finds Dillon’s advocacy difficult to understand because the very Legislature he serves in set the US$10 million revenue target for the Ministry of Labor in the 2025 budget year, adding that the Ministry of Labor’s major source of revenue is the issuance of work permits, and all proceeds are deposited directly into the Government of Liberia’s consolidated account through the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), and the Ministry of Labor is simply implementing the revenue mandate handed down to it by lawmakers.
Attorney Kruah argued that If the Legislature sets a US$10 million target, then it is the Legislature that must revisit the labor law or lower the target, and until that is done, the Minister of Labor is only doing his job
Deputy Minister Kruah warned that perceiving the Minister of Labor of giving out jobs that belong to Liberians is dangerous, especially when directed at the Minister who has served in public life for more than 50 years.
She said portraying the Minister as someone selling jobs to foreigners maligns his reputation and exposes him to public hostility.
Rather than single out the Labour Minister, the Deputy Minister insists the real issue lies with the Legislature’s decisions.
Attorney Kruah recommended that lawmakers revise the labour law, including provisions governing foreign employment and work permits, and lower the revenue target placed on the Ministry of Labour to reduce pressure on the system, as seeking to score political points helps no one.
The Liberia Labour Partners has also concurred with Deputy Minister Kruah that Liberia’s work permit system has long been a point of tension between policymakers and the public, noting that the Ministry of Labour maintains that it cannot alter work permit structures or revenue mandates unless lawmakers make legislative adjustments.
LLP said it welcomes efforts by lawmakers to sincerely carry out their oversight responsibility, but such should not be done at the expense of the hard-earned characters and/or reputations of others who are striving to perform their constitutional and statutory duties.
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