Labor Revenue Hits US$16.5M – Liberia news The New Dawn Liberia, premier resource for latest news

By Kruah Thompson

MONROVIA, September 11, 2026: The Ministry of Labor has surpassed its full-year 2026 revenue target of US$11.415 million after collecting US$16.489 million from January through August, Labor Minister Cllr. Cooper Kruah has disclosed.

The eight-month collection puts the ministry about US$5.074 million above its annual target, with four months remaining in the year.

It also represents a significant increase over the US$5.7 million collected during the corresponding period in 2025.

Speaking Thursday, September 10, at the Ministry of Information’s weekly press briefing in Monrovia, Kruah attributed the increase largely to stronger scrutiny of work permit applications and efforts to ensure employers pay the appropriate fees to the government.

According to the minister, the Legislature set the ministry’s 2026 revenue target at US$11.415 million.

However, collections reached US$16.489 million by the end of August, approximately 44 percent above the full-year target.

Compared with the US$5.7 million collected between January and August 2025, the ministry’s revenue increased by about US$10.789 million during the same period this year.

Kruah said tighter enforcement of work permit requirements and closer examination of applications have helped improve revenue collection.

The government increased the alien work permit fee from US$1,000 to US$3,000 in September 2025 as part of measures aimed at encouraging employers to prioritize qualified Liberians while strengthening compliance with labor regulations.

Beyond revenue collection, Kruah outlined several measures the ministry is pursuing to expand employment opportunities and strengthen workers’ protection.

He said the ministry has expanded its student vacation employment program to provide more opportunities for young people and called for greater public awareness to encourage eligible students to participate.

Kruah also called for stronger enforcement of minimum wage requirements for private security guards, saying authorities should ensure workers in the sector receive appropriate compensation.

He said the ministry plans to intensify workplace inspections to ensure employers comply with labor and occupational safety requirements.

According to him, the ministry also intends to train safety officers across the country as part of efforts to reduce workplace accidents and strengthen protection for workers.

Kruah urged labor inspectors and other ministry officials to remain vigilant in ensuring employers comply with labor laws and other government requirements.