By O’Neill A R. Philips
No Government achieve its agenda with nonchalant characters ,rather with patriotic intentionally focussed driven and innovative characters that bring Government ‘s deliverables to the fore.
The Minister of Labour , Cooper W. Kruah embodies such description that portrays government in way commendable to its citizens.
Under the year in review, Minister Kruah’s management team successfully reignited Liberia’s representation at the International Labor Organization (ILO), the United Nations ‘ Social and Economic Justice Organ , ensuring Liberia’s robust participation and immense contributions towards the reactivation of the country’s tripartite regime(Ministry of Labour, Chambers of Commerce and the Liberia Labour Congress).
By the tripartite engagement, all conventions, protocols and regulations of the ILO are not only instilled and practiced, but re – enforced in the Labour Sector of Liberia.
Minister Kruah has endeavored in the area of social innovation and economic freedom by harnessing Liberia’s position on the African continent and internationally in relations to social innovation and economic freedom; reintroducing new ideas, approaches and practices that address most social needs in a more effective, efficient or sustainable way.
In the Labour negotiations and social dialogue fronts, he has resolved several issues and is spread heading negotiations and has finalized collective bargaining agreements between and amongst employers and employees and their representatives.
Under such scheme, issues of mutual interests, workers benefits, and the fostering of a more harmoniums and productive work environment within major concessions and mining entities including Firestone Liberia, Arcelor Mittal Liberia ,Tiba Biscuits Factor,Bea Mountain Mining Company amongst others were achieved.
He called on all employers to address issues of mutual respect and workers ‘ benefits .
Under the leadership of Minister Kruah,the annual fees for alien work permit was increased from USD 1000 to USD 3000.
According to the ministry, the move is intended to dissuade foreign workers from attempting to do works Liberians can execute.
Most often, the ministry divulge aliens have come under cover as expatriates, deceiving the ministry.
As of the increment in work permit fees, the ministry was able to contribute about USD 12M to government coffers and secured additional employment for Liberians.
Additionally, under the leadership of Ministry Kruah, the Ministry of Labour has instituted various enforcement actions of labor standards, involving negotiations, and settlement of labor issues, ensuring employment and promotion of Liberians.
The Labour Minister has also ensured the establishment and improvement of fair working environment, decent work conditions, and promoted social and economic progress in the work place.
Moreover, the ministry was able to successfully attained through collective bargaining and negotiation, retirement ‘ handshakes’ and benefits for pensioned employees of companies, in addition to social security benefits.
As a result, Arcelor Mittal Liberia, Firestone,Tiba Biscuits Company, and others are executing the scheme.
Furthermore, the ministry has reactivated its Trafficking in Persons Division, revamped and reorganized it’s Inspectorate Division, and revitalize the Gender Inclusion Division, serving as a bridge between the ministry and other agencies of government.
Importantly too, Minister Kruah has reintroduce the vacation job scheme that attracted about one thousand students in 2025 that allowed students to work for about two months earning between USD 150 and USD 300 to help them get back in school.
Under the vacation job initiative, ten visually impaired students benefited.
Minister Kruah also ensured that job vacancy in the former sector are publicized in news outlets for thirty days before work permit is issue to an alien.
And strategically, the Ministry of Labour validated and launched a five – year plan in August, 2025, in alignment with the government ARREST agenda.
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