A new labour market report has exposed a major breach in Liberia’s employment regulatory framework, revealing that 7,032 work permits were issued to foreign nationals for positions legally reserved for Liberians, raising serious concerns about enforcement of the Decent Work Act of 2015 and threatening job security for thousands of Liberian citizens.
The Decent Work Act, specifically Chapter 45.1(c), mandates that certain category of jobs—ranging from unskilled to highly skilled roles—be strictly reserved for Liberian nationals. These include roles that Liberians can reasonably fill based on local education, vocational training, or accumulated experience. The issuance of over 7,000 foreign work permits in these categories suggests widespread non-compliance with this provision and calls into question the Ministry of Labor’s ability to regulate the work permit process.
The 7,032 permits issued to foreign workers for Liberian-only roles accounted for approximately 69.5% of all work permits issued during the reporting period. This number includes 6,156 regular permits, 314 ECOWAS permits, and 562 GRATIS permits—the latter often linked to non-governmental organizations. The figure is particularly startling given that these roles are designated for the domestic labor force and should only be opened to foreign nationals when no suitably qualified Liberian is available. The findings strongly suggest that the “no qualified Liberian available” clause may be poorly assessed, inconsistently applied, or deliberately exploited.
Meanwhile, in the category of jobs open to both Liberians and non-Liberians—typically reserved for roles requiring unique expertise or leadership, such as CEOs, Country Directors, Shareholders, and Founders—a total of 3,072 work permits were issued. Of these, 2,636 were regular permits, 124 were ECOWAS permits, and 311 were GRATIS permits. While this category naturally accommodates more foreign participation due to global skills gaps and strategic organizational needs, the report warns that it should not become a loophole for employers seeking to bypass local hiring obligations. The disproportionate issuance of GRATIS permits in this category—primarily linked to international NGOs—highlights the presence of legitimate foreign expertise but also necessitates ongoing oversight.
The consequences of these findings extend far beyond bureaucratic oversight. The report outlines a direct connection between the influx of foreign labor and increased unemployment and underemployment among Liberians. Qualified local workers are being displaced or denied opportunities, exacerbating poverty and stalling national development. This imbalance limits the country’s ability to fully engage its workforce and undermines the broader goal of economic self-reliance.
Furthermore, there is a growing disincentive for employers to train and hire Liberians. When companies are permitted to easily recruit foreign workers—even for jobs that locals can fill—they have little reason to invest in vocational training, internships, or workforce development programs. This lack of investment leads to a cycle of dependency on foreign labor while the domestic talent pool remains underutilized and underdeveloped.
While the report does not offer a full wage analysis, it warns of the potential for wage stagnation or wage depression. As foreign labor becomes more prevalent in key sectors, wage competitiveness may diminish, leaving Liberian workers with limited bargaining power and reduced income opportunities.
Most critically, the unchecked employment of foreign nationals in positions legally reserved for Liberians is beginning to erode public trust in the government. Citizens increasingly perceive the labor enforcement system as either broken or corrupt, feeding a narrative of inequality and institutional failure. In a country still rebuilding trust in public governance after years of conflict and instability, this erosion could have long-term societal consequences.
To address these urgent concerns, the report lays out a strategic response framework. One key recommendation is the establishment of a Joint Task Force with independent oversight powers to review all issued permits—particularly the 7,032 tied to Reserved Jobs—and investigate potential violations. The task force would be empowered to recommend punitive measures and revoke permits where a qualified Liberian was available but overlooked.
Additionally, the report calls for an immediate audit and potential revocation of non-compliant permits—particularly in unskilled and semi-skilled roles. Where Liberians are now available and capable of filling these jobs, foreign permits should be rescinded following due process to free up employment opportunities for local citizens.
A major recommendation is the development of a national job portalto be managed jointly by the Ministry of Labor and the Civil Service Agency. Under this plan, employers would be required to post job openings on the platform for a minimum of six to eight weeks before applying for foreign work permits. This initiative is designed to ensure that Liberians have fair access to job opportunities and that the government can verify claims of labor shortages.
The report also emphasizes the urgent need to invest in training and upskilling programs tailored to high-demand sectors currently reliant on foreign labor. This includes expanding partnerships with private sector employers, technical training institutions, and universities to create apprenticeships and on-the-job learning opportunities. To support these efforts, the government is urged to allocate sufficient funding and pursue international partnerships focused on human capital development.
To enhance transparency and compliance, the report proposes regular, unannounced audits of employer records, including verification of work permit validity, role authenticity, and wage conditions. Public reporting of audit outcomes in aggregated, anonymized form would serve as a deterrent to future violations and help rebuild public confidence.
Finally, a national public awareness campaign is recommended to inform Liberian citizens about their labor rights and how to report suspected abuses. Parallel employer sensitization efforts should reinforce the legal and ethical obligations of hiring practices under the Decent Work Act.
The findings of this report present a clear message: Liberia’s labor laws are being undermined, and the consequences are widespread—impacting jobs, wages, governance, and public morale. If left unaddressed, this failure could entrench inequality and stall national progress.
