By Fiona Benson
Members of the House of Representatives, have requested the appearances of the Minister of Labor with representatives from Firestone, Equatorial Palm, LAC, and GVL, before the plenary on October 28.
This decision was made to facilitate a comprehensive review of the current minimum wage policies, and the enforcement of the Decent Work Law (2015).
During Thursday’s, October 16, 2025, sitting, Grand Bassa County District #5 Representative, Thomas Goshua, expressed concern over the existing minimum wage law stating that it does not match the rising cost of living in present day Liberia.
Rep. Goshua pointed out that the Minimum Wage Board, a statutory body tasked with recommending wage adjustments, but said, it appears not to be fulfilling its responsibilities adequately, which raises issues about compliance with established labor standards.
Goshua, quoting a decent work law, said, an employee is a person, who formally works, or informally over a period of time, and should be giving their just benefits. This, he said, not being the case.
Rep. Goshua said the minimum wage law is being misused by concessionaires.
“The law mandates a casual worker should be paid US$3.50 a day, and formal work US$6.50 a day, but I have noticed this is not happening, concessionaires have refused to live up to the law, which is hindering the living conditions of our people.”
Moreover, the House plenary urged these stakeholders to clarify their plans for adjusting wages, and to explain why the Decent Work Law is not being fully implemented.
Goshua said their commitment to address the fundamental economic issues affecting workers, and their families.
The joint committee is expected to thoroughly review the matter, and report its findings within four weeks.