Minister Kruah Condemns the Unprofessional Conduct of Labour Inspector General Charles Brown towards a Chinese National

MONROVIA, LIBERIA: Seventy-two hours after a viral video surfaced on various social media platforms, showing Labour Inspector General Charles S. Browne forcefully trying to place an unnamed Chinese national into his vehicle, Labour Minister Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah has strongly condemned what he deemed unprofessional conduct by the Inspector General.

Minister Kruah criticized the Labour Inspector General for engaging in a physical altercation with a foreign national, stating, “Browne's actions were entirely against the Ministry's ethics and operations.”

Since his appointment by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Browne has been at the center of controversies, including allegations of harassment and extortion involving foreign workers.

In a recent social media video, Inspector General Browne is accused by an unidentified man, who is believed to be an agent of the National Security Agency (NSA), of allegedly pocketing US$21,000 from an Indian businessman in exchange for an invalid work permit.

In a video published by Rescue TV/GAR-Liberia, an unidentified man accuses Inspector Browne of being a "criminal" for allegedly diverting government cash for personal gain.

On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Minister Kruah addressed legislative reporters, emphasizing that Labour Inspectors are civil servants rather than law enforcement officers. They are not authorized to make arrests or use handcuffs on individuals.

Minister Kruah stated that Labour Inspector Browne’s actions are completely outside his Terms of Reference (ToR), which include official instructions, established operational guidelines, and a commitment to proper procedure and human rights within the ministry's scope.

Meanwhile, Cllr. Kruah has announced that the ministry will triple the fees for work permits for foreign nationals, effective immediately. Minister Kruah stated that this move is aimed at strategically reducing the influx of non-essential foreign workers and boosting local employment. 

This decision comes amid growing public concerns about the issuance of permits to foreign nationals for jobs that should be reserved for Liberians. During a visit to the Capitol building on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Minister Kruah confirmed that the fee for a foreign work permit has increased from $1,000 to $3,000.

He explained that the rationale behind this hike is to discourage international companies and concessions operating in Liberia from importing expatriate labor for positions that qualified Liberians can adequately fill. “This policy shift is designed to ensure that jobs that could be filled by qualified Liberian citizens are not unnecessarily occupied by expatriate workers,” Minister Kruah asserted.

He urged all organizations to actively recruit and employ Liberian nationals for positions traditionally held by foreign workers, stressing the importance of empowering local talent and fostering economic growth within the country. Additionally, Minister Kruah refuted widespread allegations of corruption within the Ministry, specifically claims that work permits are being sold illicitly to foreigners.

He described these accusations as “unfounded lies,” asserting that those who spread such misinformation do not understand the Ministry's legitimate and strictly regulated processes for issuing and distributing work permits.