Monrovia — Many Liberians are cautiously celebrating the Labor Ministry's new pronouncement, hoping that it will bring much-needed changes and give Liberians the wages they deserve for their labor.
he Ministry of Labor (MoL) has announced the immediate suspension of work permits for foreign heavy-duty drivers.
The ministry says it will no longer renew work permits for foreign drivers on a standard basis, warning instead that renewals will occur annually starting next year.
This decision aims to prioritize local employment and reduce ongoing bad labor practices in the mining sector across West African countries.
Addressing a group of journalists over the weekend, Labor Minister Cooper Kruah stated that evidence shows Liberian mining workers are significantly underpaid compared to their foreign counterparts.
Citing an instance, Kruah noted that Zambian drivers in Liberia earn $1,650, and Turkish drivers earn $2,500, while Liberian drivers earn less than $600 for the same job.
To address these disparities, the Labor Ministry has communicated with mining companies, urging them to train more Liberian drivers to operate heavy-duty machines.
While these companies have a two-week grace period to comply, Minister Kruah revealed that they are given three months to implement these mandates.
Additionally, he pledged to closely monitor these companies to mitigate these selective justice and bad labor practices across the sector to ensure Liberian drivers receive the priority they deserve.
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This decision comes in the wake of recent protests by Liberian employees from various mining and plantation companies, who have highlighted inhumane treatment and arbitrary salary deductions.
Most of the protests centered on the ministry's failure to protect workers' rights by enforcing labor laws and addressing workplace safety issues, as many have fallen victim due to a lack of safety gear.
Following Labor Minister Kruah's statement over the weekend, many Liberians are expressing hope that he will deliver on his promises.
"We will wait until January and see what happens," said Arthur L Davis, a resident of the Red-Light, Pynesville community. He expressed cautious optimism about the minister's commitments.
He stated that the Decent Work Act (DWA) aims to enhance labor standards in Liberia, but it has been undermined by ministers prioritizing their own interests over the workers.
However, many have expressed hope that the new actions announced by the Labor Ministry will bring much-needed changes to labor standards in Liberia, which according to them have been plagued by exploitation and constant neglect.
Mr. Davis has expressed interest in the minister's speech and hopes he will bring change to the country's labor sector.
As the ministry works to uphold labor laws and improve workplace safety, the future of local drivers remains a topic of significant concern and interest among Liberians.
