By George C Flomo
MONROVIA – The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Labor, has announced a sharp increase in the annual fee for alien work permits, raising the cost from US$1,000 to US$3,000 per worker.
Making the disclosure at the Ministry of Information’s regular Thursday press briefing, Labor Minister Cllr. Cooper Kruah said the measure is part of government’s broader strategy to encourage companies operating in Liberia to prioritize the hiring of Liberians in concession areas and other industries.
“Effective immediately, foreign engineers and other professionals brought into the country to work for companies such as ArcelorMittal and Bea Mountain will now pay US$3,000 annually for work permits,” Minister Kruah declared.
The Labor Minister noted that while companies have relied heavily on foreign workers for jobs that qualified Liberians can perform, government is determined to reverse the trend.
“We encourage these companies to now contemplate the hiring of Liberians,” he stressed. “For a long time, we kept the permit fee very low to give them time to transition. Now we expect more Liberians to take on these jobs.”
Minister Kruah disclosed that following a review of Bea Mountain’s workforce, the Ministry resolved not to renew 357 work permits because the jobs occupied by those foreign workers were deemed suitable for Liberians.
“Hiring Liberians reduces costs for companies,” he added, noting that unlike expatriates, Liberians do not require air tickets, accommodation, and repatriation packages.
The Minister also announced a new system to track Liberian employment across concession areas, with companies now required to advertise vacancies for 30 days in newspapers and on radio before foreign workers are considered.
He revealed that between February and September 2025, ArcelorMittal alone hired 463 Liberians, an indication that the policy is yielding results.
Meanwhile, Minister Kruah also highlighted progress made under the government’s vacation job program for students.
According to him, the Ministry had targeted 1,000 students but ended up assisting 1,355 students this year, with 1,070 assigned across government ministries and agencies and 635 deployed in private companies.
ArcelorMittal supported the program by taking in 500 students, he said.
Minister Kruah commended the companies that participated and expressed optimism that the program would expand next year, given the positive reports about students’ conduct during their service.
He urged young Liberians to take advantage of the opportunities being created by government and its partners.
“The President is concerned about employment for Liberians, and we want our young people to prepare themselves and apply when vacancies are advertised. The opportunities are there,” Kruah emphasized.