Labor Minister Mandates Employment, Salary Increment for 59 Liberian Employees At Industrial Factories
Monrovia, Liberia: It is becoming conspicuously clear that Labor Minister Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah is determined to ensure that both local and foreign employers are in full adherence to the Decent Work Act of 2015, as the Minister Kruah has mandated the full employment of 59 daily casual workers at two industrial investment companies in Liberia.
The companies subjected to Minster Kruah’s mandate include the Supreme Liberia Incorporated and the Menzeh Zinc Factory, both located on Bushrod Island.
Supreme Liberia Incorporated is a mattress manufacturing company, while Menzeh Zinc produces aluminum and zinc products, respectively.
The Labor Minister, relying on the Decent Work Act of 2015 passed by the 53rd Legislature, ordered that all daily-hired casual workers receive a monthly salary of not less than US$150.00, while contracted employees must immediately transition to full-time employment status with a minimum monthly income of US$175.
In 2015, the Decent Work Act of Liberia was passed into law by the 53rd Legislature. The law substituted the old labor law practices. The catchphrase “Decent Work” was copied from the International Labor Organization (ILO) in 1999 and refers to employment that contributes to the social and economic stability of employees.
Minister Kruah also mandated the management of the Menzeh Zinc Factory to immediately replace all Pakistani nationals currently operating the company's forklifts with Liberian employees who are equally qualified with the commensurate benefits.
Labor Minister: "Never again will we allow jobs solely allotted for Liberians to be performed by foreigners under this Rescue Mission Government of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, because our citizens need and deserve to work and improve their economic standards.”
Minister Kruah's mandate stemmed from an in-person inspection mission at the two investments. The inspection exercise is part of the Ministry’s ongoing acquaintances initiative with workers and management and assessment of working environments across Liberia.
However, Minster Kruah warned the beneficiaries’ employees at the two companies and others at major investments to do away with violence as the means of seeking redress to their grievances. He urges the employees to instead engage in social dialogue as a way forward in channeling their disenchantment.
In the same vein, the Labor Minister also called on the management of Supreme Liberia Incorporated and Menzeh Zinc Factory to consider providing advance monthly payment upon requests of their workers.
He requested that both managements provide protective working gear and cultivate a cordial personal working relationship with their employees.
Minster Kruah vowed regular follow-up visits by Labor Inspectors to ensure that these directives are firmly enforced.
Commenting on the Minister Kruah’s mandate, the Chairman of Supreme Liberia Incorporated, Jaspal Singh, and the General Manager of Menzeh Zinc Factory, Mohamed Asif, lauded Minister Kruah for the tour and assured him full compliance with all standing labor regulations.
Also, the beneficiaries lavished praise on Minister Kruah for the unannounced visit, terming it the first of its kind by a senior official of the government since the company’s operations commenced two years ago.
Edited: E. Geedahgar Garsuah, Sr.
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