The Government of Liberia has tripled the cost of regular work permits for foreign workers, raising the annual fee from $1,000 to $3,000. The move, announced by Labour Minister Cllr. Cooper Kruah, is part of a broader effort to prioritize Liberian employment and reduce foreign dominance in the labor market. And while many civil society groups (and individual citizens) have hailed the decision as patriotic and strategic, I believe this moment calls for deeper reflection, not just from employers, but from us as Liberians.
Let’s be honest. The unemployment rate in Liberia is staggering. Thousands of young people are out of school, out of work, and out of options.
The truth is, job creation is only half the battle. The other half is job readiness. And that’s where we, as Liberians, must look inward.
I’ve sat in rooms with business owners (Liberian and foreign alike) who speak candidly about why they sometimes prefer to hire foreigners. It’s not just about skillset, though that matters.
It’s about work ethics. It’s about showing up on time.
It’s about honesty and integrity. It’s about finishing what you start.
These are not technical skills. These are values. And they are teachable. But they must also be expected.
From a business standpoint, it is cheaper to hire locally. No airfare. No housing. No repatriation costs. So why would a company spend four, five, even ten times more to bring in a foreign worker?
Because they believe the job will get done. Because they believe the standards will be met. That’s not a compliment to foreign workers-it’s a challenge to us.
We need to ask ourselves: are we ready to meet the demands of the job market we’re fighting to enter? Are we building a culture of accountability, professionalism, and pride in our work? Or are we waiting for opportunities without preparing to seize them?
The government’s move to increase work permit fees is not just about revenue. It’s about recalibrating the labor market. It’s about sending a message to companies that Liberians must be considered first. And that message is long overdue.
But we must also recognize the nuance. There are technical roles in mining, engineering, and specialized trades that may not yet be filled locally. Employers in these sectors will feel the pinch. And they should. But they also deserve clarity. If the government wants to reduce foreign labor, it must also invest in training programs that produce qualified Liberians for those roles. Otherwise, we risk creating bottlenecks that hurt productivity and discourage investment.
The government’s move to increase work permit fees is not unprecedented. In Ghana, work permits for foreign company employees can cost up to $1,000 annually, with additional fees for quotas and renewals. In Sierra Leone, fees range from roughly $50 to $250 USD, depending on sector and nationality. Nigeria charges approximately $250 to $375 USD for expatriate quotas and work permits.
So yes, Liberia’s $3,000 fee is high by regional standards. But the question isn’t just whether it’s expensive it’s whether it will work.
Will it lead to more local hires? Possibly. Employers may now think twice before importing labor for roles that can be filled locally. But will it lead to better job outcomes for Liberians? That depends on us.
We need to build a workforce that is not just available, but prepared.
For employers, the implications are mixed. Those in technical sectors like mining, engineering, specialized trades may struggle to find qualified local talent immediately. They’ll need clarity from the government on exemptions, timelines, and support for skills development. But for many roles, the shift could be a catalyst for deeper engagement with the local labor market.
But I see this not just a labour issue. I see it as a national identity issue. Do we believe in our own capacity to lead, to build, to work with excellence? Are we willing to do the hard work of becoming the professionals we want others to see in us?
The work permit hike is a wake-up call. For employers, it’s a push to hire locally. For government, it’s a chance to invest in skills development. And for us, it’s a moment to rise not just in numbers, but in standards.
Let’s not waste it.
Liberian Jue 