By Domingo Dargbeh
The leadership of Liberia Labour and Governance Alliance has accused the Ministry of Labour for violating the financial laws.
They described a newly introduced levy on foreign workers as an “illegal diversion of public funds” and a dangerous act of institutional corruption at the Ministry.”
At a press conference held in Paynesville on Monday, March 30, 2026, LILGA’s Executive Director, George S. Tengbeh, raised alarm over a March 20, 2026, amendment the Ministry issued.
The amendment introduces a Workforce Development Levy of US$50 per foreign worker, allowing employers to make payments in lieu of recruiting Liberian junior associates.
However, the controversy stems from the directive that the payments be administered through “LiberiaWorks,” a private platform, rather than going through official government revenue channels.
‘Violation of Public Financial Laws’
LILGA argues that the arrangement directly contravenes the Public Financial Management Act, which governs how public funds are collected and managed.
Quoting Section 21 of the Act, Tengbeh added: “All revenues or moneys raised or received for the purpose of, or on behalf of, the government shall be paid into and form part of the consolidated fund.”
He contended that directing payments to “Liberia Works” instead of the consolidated fund or the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) constitutes an unlawful diversion of public revenue.
LILGA further cited section 23 of the same law, which restricts the handling of public funds, arguing that the Ministry’s action effectively creates an off-budget financial system outside legislative oversight.
According to Tengbeh, the use of “LiberiaWorks” raises transparency concerns.
The organization questioned the legal status, ownership structure, and oversight mechanisms governing the entity.
“Who audits LiberiaWorks? Who ensures accountability? Under what law does it operate?” Tengbeh rhetorically asked.
The group warned that outsourcing a core government revenue function to a private entity undermines established public financial controls and weakens institutional accountability.
Bypassing LRA
LILGA also expressed concern that the policy sidelines LRA, which is responsible to collect government taxes.
The organization described the move as an “institutional bypass,” arguing that it undermines the legal framework for revenue administration.
LILGA meanwhile, called for immediate intervention by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
They called for full investigation into the levy and the operations of the LiberiaWorks.
The group also demanded: immediate suspension of the levy arrangement.
Labour Minister Cooper W. Kruah is yet to respond to the allegations through calls and text messages when this newspaper contacted him.
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