Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Finance and Development Planning Minister, has reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to the enforcement of the national minimum wage within the central government. According to a release, the Ngafuan’s remarks come in response to public claims suggesting that some civil servants are earning below the legally mandated threshold of US$150 per month. While addressing the issue during a media engagement on Thursday, August 28, in Monrovia, Ngafuan firmly stated: “During the national budget formulation process, the President gave a clear directive, and the budget was adjusted accordingly, to ensure that no employee of the central government earns below the minimum wage of US$150. I am pleased to confirm that this commitment has been fully implemented.” The Decent Work Act, which governs labor standards, mandates a minimum monthly wage of US$150 for all workers, both in the public and private sectors. While the Ministry of Labor is tasked with monitoring compliance in the private sector, the MFDP has taken full responsibility for ensuring that central government payrolls align with the law. Mr. Ngafuan clarified that reports of civil servants receiving less than US$150 stem from confusion between gross and net pay, noting that deductions like taxes, social security, and loan repayments often personal or statutory, do not violate the minimum wage law. He further clarified that government salaries are disbursed in a dual-currency structure, 70 percent in U.S. dollars and 30 percent in Liberian dollars. This arrangement, coupled with individual financial obligations, may impact the final take-home amount, but does not alter the official salary structure.
After recognizing the need for broader public understanding of these financial processes, Ngafuan underscored the importance of enhanced public education on matters of compensation and budgeting. “We acknowledge that more must be done to improve public financial literacy. A well-informed public is essential for transparency and accountability, and we are committed to open communication,” he said. Mr. Ngafuan encouraged all government employees with questions or concerns regarding their pay to seek clarification through the appropriate administrative channels.