By Emmanuel Kangar and Myean D Torgbean
Monrovia – The Ministry of Labor has issued and renewed a total of 10,117 work permits for foreign nationals, according to a report submitted to the Liberian Senate and obtained by Verity Online News.
The disclosure comes amid growing national concern over high unemployment rates among Liberians. Of the total permits granted, 7,633 ~ or approximately 75 percent ~ were renewals for foreign workers already living and working in Liberia.
These individuals, according to the Ministry, are largely employed by concession companies and private enterprises that had operations predating the current administration. Meanwhile, 2,484 permits, or 25 percent, were issued to new foreign entrants seeking employment opportunities in the country.
The gender distribution of the permits showed a notable imbalance: 8,802 permits (87 percent) were issued to men, compared to 1,315 (13 percent) issued to women.
In terms of nationality, the majority of work permits~ 6,980, or 69 percent ~ went to non-African nationals. Non-ECOWAS African nationals received 2,699 permits, accounting for 27 percent. ECOWAS citizens, despite the regional bloc’s agreements on mobility and labor, received only 438 permits, making up just 4 percent of the total.
The Senate’s request for this breakdown reflects growing concerns over the structure and regulation of Liberia’s labor market, particularly the reliance on foreign labor. Lawmakers are expected to review the findings as part of efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in the country’s employment and immigration practices.
Critics argue that while foreign expertise is sometimes necessary, the scale of these permits raises serious questions about job opportunities for Liberian citizens, especially in a struggling economy.
The Ministry of Labor has yet to publicly respond to mounting public inquiries regarding its employment strategies and workforce localization efforts.
