Amidst huge unemployment rate in the Country, the Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), Dr. Josiah F. Joekai, has revealed that over 3,000 Indian nationals are currently employed by ArcelorMittal Liberia in roles that could be performed by qualified Liberians.
Dr. Joekai made the statement during an appearance before the Liberian Senate this week, where he responded to lawmakers’ inquiries about job creation and labor practices in the country.
According to the CSA boss, the continued reliance on foreign labor, particularly in non-specialized roles, by multinational companies operating in Liberia is a significant contributor to the country’s persistent unemployment crisis.
“There are more than 3,000 Indians working with ArcelorMittal in Liberia, occupying positions that our people are capable of handling,” Mr. Joekai told the Senate. “This is unacceptable in a country where thousands of our young people and graduates remain jobless.”
The revelation comes at a time when Liberia is grappling with soaring youth unemployment and public frustration over perceived government inaction to address economic inequality and foreign labor dominance.
Senators expressed concern and called for urgent action, with some lawmakers demanding a thorough audit of ArcelorMittal’s employment practices and a reevaluation of the company’s compliance with the nation’s labor and investment codes.
Many Liberians argue that while foreign investment is vital to Liberia’s economic recovery, companies must be held accountable to ensure that their operations contribute meaningfully to local capacity building and employment.
ArcelorMittal Liberia, one of the largest foreign investors in the country, has not yet issued a response to Joekai’s statements. The company has previously pledged to prioritize local employment and skills development under its Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) with the Liberian government.
Dr. Jokai’s remarks have added momentum to growing calls for a national employment strategy that protects Liberian workers and enforces stricter labor regulations for foreign companies.
The Civil Service Agency has indicated its willingness to work with other government institutions, including the Ministry of Labor and the Liberia Immigration Service, to investigate the matter further and push for reforms aimed at closing the employment gap between foreign nationals and Liberian citizens.
As the debate unfolds, all eyes are now on the Senate and the Executive Branch to take decisive action on what many are calling a “wake-up call” for Liberia’s labor and economic policies.
