Under Nyonblee Karngar-Lawrence’s leadership as Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, legislative staffers threaten to disrupt Senate operations due to unpaid extra sitting benefits. Their frustration stems from what they describe as a persistent denial of their rightful compensation, an issue that has plagued the legislative body for months.
Last year, similar grievances led to dramatic disruptions when staffers blocked access to the Capitol Building, preventing senators from entering their offices. Those protests centered on unpaid salaries and benefits, resurfacing with even greater intensity.
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, Senate staffers issued a stern four-day ultimatum, warning that if their concerns are not addressed by January 11, they will obstruct the Senate’s reopening session scheduled for January 13. The staffers claim that benefits promised for the extended special sitting of the Legislature, mandated by President Joseph Boakai, remain unpaid since December 15, 2024.
The extended sitting, which ran from December 6, 2024, to January 6, 2025, required staffers to work beyond their regular schedules. Despite their efforts, they say the Senate leadership has failed to honor commitments to compensate them. According to an aggrieved staffer, “If nothing is done by January 11, 2025, the Senate will not be able to open on the 13th.”
The Senate Staffers Association expressed deep dissatisfaction with Senate leadership’s lack of engagement, accusing them of ignoring repeated appeals for action. Staffers argue that the delay in paying benefits undermines morale and highlights broader systemic issues within the government.
This marks the second time staffers have resorted to direct action in recent months. On September 11, 2024, they locked down the Capitol Building, blocking lawmakers from accessing their offices. On that occasion, Senate Pro-Tempore Karngar Lawrence and other officials were forced to address some of their demands before gaining entry. However, staffers claim that promises made during those negotiations remain unfulfilled.
The current standoff underscores ongoing challenges in leadership and governance at the Capitol Building. Many staffers believe their grievances are emblematic of a deeper issue that has persisted across successive administrations, including the previous Weah government. Unpaid salaries, overlooked benefits, and a perceived lack of accountability have created a cycle of frustration and resistance.
The Senate Staffers Association has clarified that they will withdraw their services without fully paying their benefits by January 11. “Failure by the Senate leadership to meet this deadline will leave us with no alternative but to peacefully disengage from our duties,” the association warned.
