The Civil Society Network of Liberia (CSNL) has described as ‘politically motivated and misleading allegations’ leveled against the Minister of Labor, Cooper W. Kruah by Senator Abraham Darius Dillon and others. Kruah is a lawyer by profession.
Dillion has argued that Kruah sold 8,000 ‘work permits’ to foreigners ‘under fraudulent circumstances.’
“This misinformation, being persistently spewed out by Sen. Dillon is not only a distortion of the fact, but also intended to undermine the gains made by Mr. Kruah at the Labor Ministry.
The CSNL, therefore, “wants to firstly establish that the issuance of work permits is a regulated, transparent and security related process subjected to specific provisions of the Decent Work Act of 2015 statutorily delegated to the Ministry of Labor.”
“Despite Minister Kruah’s sincere legal responses to inquiries from senators regarding the issuance of work permits given to foreign nationals by the Labor Ministry, it is highly unfortunate that Dillon has embarked on a consistent attack on the workings of the Labor Minister as an attempt to resurrect his fading political career through deceptive means. Sen. Dillon’s proposal to the Senate for Mr. Kruah to present information on all work permit holders, and their job titles do not only amount to legislative tyranny, but a circumvention of its powers to target the Labor Minister.”
Chapter 45 Part 45.1a,b,c and d of the Decent Work Act of 2015, regarding foreign employment does not give any definite mandate or instruction for the ministry to issue work permit with specific job title.
“While the legislature has oversight responsibility over the workings of agencies of the executive branch, it lacks the authority to play the role of auditing institutions. The act of requesting for information surrounding the Labor Ministry’s issuance of work permits is tantamount to usurping the function of the General Auditing Commission (GAC), which has been statutorily legislated by the very legislature to audit the operations of agencies of government.
“The CSNL is disgusted and troubled over Sen. Dillon long-standing spearheaded campaign of political attacks against Mr. Kruah. Dillion’s continued attacks and criticisms of the workings of Mr. Kruah is a show of divisiveness and a politically self-serving gambit. It was this same Dillon, who influenced the senate not to confirm Cllr. Cooper Kruah as Justice Minister, though there were no concrete reasons for such decision. This is not just one of Dillon’s political showboating actions, but another act of deception on his part. It is contradicting that after the senate mandated the Ministry of Labor to generate US$10.5 million in revenue of which work permit fees are a key part, Sen. Dillon will thread on a debate without facts and merits.”
“Furthermore, the CSNL views the Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), Josiah Joekai’s presentation made to the senate on the issuance of work permits to foreigners, as not only a usurpation of functions and unbridled curiosity, but shows his support to Sen. Dillon determined baseless attack against Mr. Kruah.
Mr. Joekai’s action was a deliberate misstep that ignored the separation of duties within the public governance space, as the CSA has no role in the issuance of work permits to foreigners. As the supervisory agency for public sector workers, Joekai was in error for meddling into work permits for private sector workers; which is the statutory function bequeathed to the Ministry of Liberia. Hence, we urge Joekai to remain within his bounds of functionaries to avoid potential conflicts in government.
The CSNL believes that calls on Sen. Dillon to desist from his ongoing smear campaign and political rhetoric against Cllr. Kruah and focus on the real challenges facing the Liberian people in the areas of education, health, infrastructure and the economy.
We urge the senate to prioritize the growth and development of Liberian State, instead of focusing on issues intended to unnecessarily target officials of government.”