Nine staff of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) currently on study leave abroad says they are facing increasing hardship after being abruptly removed from the government payroll for the past two months.
The Civil Service Agency (CSA), under the leadership of Director General Hon. Josiah F. Joekai Jr., is yet to reinstate the employees despite NPHIL’s official communication requesting their return to payroll since August 28, 2025.
“These two months without salary have made it very difficult to survive. We’re in foreign countries studying to come back and serve Liberia better, but we’re now being punished for it,” said one of the affected staff, who is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Health.
In its August 28 letter to the CSA, NPHIL labeled the payroll removal as “arbitrary” and emphasized that all required study leave agreements had been signed by the employees and submitted as requested.
Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director General of NPHIL, stressed in the communication that the nine employees are undertaking courses in critical disciplines including Medical Technology (PhD), Infectious Diseases (MSc), Public Policy (MSc), and Medical Entomology (MSc).
“These technical disciplines are vital to the country’s ability to respond to public health threats,” the letter read. “We request their immediate reinstatement to ensure continuity of livelihood and morale.
One affected staff member studying Medical Entomology expressed frustration: “CSA asked for our study leave agreements. NPHIL submitted everything by the end of August. Yet, here we are at the end of September and we haven’t seen a cent.”
Another employee noted their efforts to resolve the matter quietly: “We’ve emailed the CSA. I even messaged Dr. Joekai on WhatsApp, pleading for help, but got no response. We are stuck and desperate.”
The employees say they feel abandoned despite being under legal contracts with NPHIL that guarantee salary continuation during approved study leave.
“We didn’t leave the country without notice. Everything was formally documented and approved. What more do they want?” a staff member studying Infectious Diseases questioned.
NPHIL reiterated in its letter that these individuals are on “expert capacity-building programs” and their continued employment is tied directly to the health institute’s future strategic goals.
“Their technical work will be important to the NPHIL’s mandate of fighting public health threats,” Dr. Nyan wrote. “We urge the CSA to act promptly.”
The employees have now turned to the media after all internal communication channels reportedly failed to yield results.
“This is not just about our salaries. It’s about being treated fairly and respectfully as civil servants fulfilling our obligations,” said another staff member pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy.
The delay has raised concern within NPHIL, which fears such treatment may discourage future efforts to invest in staff development through international education.
Calls and emails sent to the CSA by the affected employees have allegedly gone unanswered for weeks, raising questions about the agency’s commitment to procedural fairness.
However, this paper reached out to the CSA and this reaction was obtained: “The scholarship beneficiaries, and the institution the persons work with have to sign an MOU.
NPHIL didn’t do what the law says. The Director General unilaterally authorized the scholarships without the CSA. The CSA Boss asked the NPHIL boss to provide the MOU to CSA, but the Director has refused to present the documents. Bilateral scholarships’ MOUs are signed by three people (the beneficiary and their institution) including the CSA.”
As the standoff continues, the employees are calling on the public and relevant oversight bodies to pressure the CSA for urgent resolution.
“We are not on vacation. We are here studying to serve Liberia better. We hope the government sees the value in that, before it’s too late,” one final staff member lamented.
