Monrovia – Labour Minister Cooper W. Kruah has sharply refuted claims posted by Mr. Philipbert Semogai Browne on his social media page that the Government’s adjustment in Alien Work Permit fee is intended to extort from foreign workers, generates discrimination, as well as set the basis for corruption by Minister Kruah.
But the Labour Minister said the accusations are unfounded, bias and lack true patriotism diametrically opposed to providing doable jobs for Liberians.
The Labour boss said the move is a national government initiative intended to seek jobs for deserving Liberians.
Min. Kruah rubbished the Hot Pepper Newspaper publisher’s assertion that he, Min. Kruah adjusted the Alien Work Permit fees to ‘line’ his pocket.
In a telephone conversation with THE INFORMER NEWSPAPER, Minister Kruah emphasized that the measure which takes immediate effect is intended to create greater employment opportunities for Liberians in the private sector and to reduce the number of foreign workers occupying positions that qualified Liberians are capable of performing.
The Labour boss reiterated his call for all employers, institutions, and foreign employees to take note of the directive and govern themselves accordingly.
Recently, at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism regular press briefing, Minister Kruah announced that the Government of Liberia has carried out an upward adjustment of the Alien Work Permit fee from US$1000 to US$3000.
He said the adjusted fee is a measure to discourage foreign workers and create a labor environment that will see more Liberians being employ in the private sector.
Mr. Browne post on September 7, 2025: “From Where I Sit“
By Philipbert Semogai Browne
LABOR MINISTER 200% HIKE IN ALIEN WORK PERMIT IS “PATRIOTISM AT THE EXTREME”;
I listened to the Minister of Labor, Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah Sr. Thursday September 4th 2025 press briefing at the Ministry of Information. He announced a 200% hike in Alien Work Permit with my total confusion, shock and disbelief. The Minister said that the measures being put into place were a part of a broader strategy to encourage companies operating in Liberia to prioritize the hiring of Liberians in concession areas and other industries. How does one encourage companies to hire Liberians through excessive fines?
Don’t get me wrong, I am a patriotic Liberian and only have noble intentions for the Mother-land, but I am also a well read and knowledgeable person. The stance by the Government of the Republic of Liberia through the Ministry of Labor to create job opportunities for Liberians is highly “PATRIOTIC AND COMMENDABLE” but at the ” FAR EXTREME”. There is absolutely no justification to increase Alien Work Permit by 200% (two hundred percent), from US$1000 (one thousand) to US$3000 (three thousand). This move is illegal, unjustified and should be condemned by all well- meaning Liberians.
The payment of work permit fees should not serve as a punishment, so let’s go back to the basic and do the right things. What do I mean by the basic? Foreigners pays work permit fees to fund the Liberian Government administrative costs, support social services, manage the Liberian national labor markets and most times, to prevent fraud. In any well-meaningful society, the payment of work permit fees is to cover the processing of applications, background check and constant monitoring of those foreign workers which should help the Liberian Government manage immigration and protect the public good.
Don’t get me wrong, this huge unnecessary cost increment of 200% on Alien Work Permit, does not reflect the value Liberia places on specialized foreign talents but may only serve the purpose to barrier entry for foreign non-essential workers that are currently available in the country which with out the 200% increment, I would be bound to support. Once the Labor Ministry gets away with this unjustified increment, without a doubt would be fought and discouraged on many fronts, one does not have to be a rocket scientist to predict that the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization will soon follow suit by also increasing the Alien Resident Permits by 200%. I am left to wonder, with this perception, where is Liberia heading to?
“For every action there is an equal but opposite reaction.” I am a strong hidden supporter of Pres. Joseph Nvumah Boakai, not necessarily the Unity Party. For many years, we have been very close friends and associates, we have great secrets and unspoken bond. This close relationship is knowledgeable to only three persons alive and within Pres Boakai’s circle, the First Lady of the Republic of Liberia, Hon. Jacob Kabakollie and Hon. Samuel A. StevQuoah. Mr. President, my honest piece of advice is, to increase the cost of Alien Work Permits but not as a punishment but as a deterrence. To also put a Special Task Force of Honorable Liberians in place that can visit these foreign businesses, obtain a list foreigners employed per company, review their work permit and job description. After the exercise, let the Task Force make a determination as to the jobs that can be managed by Liberians relative to the available Liberian credentials.
The unintended consequences will be costly if caution is not exercised at this bend. The excessive behavior of the Ministry of Labor in pursuit of revenues and under the disguised of creating jobs opportunities for Liberians will definitely backfire, leading to irrational outcomes. While the extreme 200% increase of the Alien Work Permits might provide thrill or a sense of purpose by swelling Government’s revenue base, the US$2000 (two thousand) increment is being too far fetch and have lost its good intentions and seemingly might become destructive in the short term. This noble intention has honestly lost its initial positive direction, turning same into madness or irrationality.
With this unjustified increment of Alien Work Permits, the Government of Liberia has gone to the furthest possible limits in that direction, in its behavior, thoughts and actions. When an idea is taken to the extreme, it moves away from a balance and healthy middle ground. Yes, every well-meaning Liberian wants the government to create jobs opportunities for its citizens but not at the detriment of the most productive, profitable, sustainable and successful aspect of the economy. The foreign companies would definitely fight back forcing the government hand for a middle ground to be formed.
There are laws on the book that only Liberians are entitled to own certain business but the foreigners have taken them unto themselves. Start from there and implement the LAW and stop pretending that you are in the best interests of Liberians, when the underlying intentions is to lined you pockets at the detriment of both Liberians and foreigners alike“, Mr. Browne posted on his official Facebook page.
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