MONROVIA – On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, aggrieved employees of the Ministry of Labour (MoL) padlocked the institution’s doors in protest against the Civil Service Agency’s (CSA) recent recommendations. This action followed the CSA’s announcement that 51 employees were to be dismissed, with an additional 332 government workers being blocked from the payroll pending further verification.
The CSA, through its Director General Josiah Joekai, had earlier released a preliminary report from a verification and headcount exercise conducted at 10 government spending entities. The report identified the 332 employees for further review, with verification set to run from August 15 to September 15, 2024.
The aggrieved employees, some of whom have been working with the Ministry since 2023, voiced their dissatisfaction with the CSA’s decision, arguing that they were hired based on valid contracts with the institution, especially as inspectors. They claimed the CSA did not conduct any employment tests at the time of their hiring. Many of the protesters also complained about operational challenges, such as the Ministry’s failure to provide transportation for fieldwork, making it difficult for them to sign out after completing daily duties.
One protester explained, “Due to transportation challenges, some of us can’t return to the office to sign out after inspections. The Ministry is aware of this.” Other employees, assigned to inspections outside the county, echoed similar concerns and also criticized the Ministry’s new human resource department for lacking adequate knowledge about their work.
The group further expressed frustration over deteriorating working conditions since the appointment of Labor Minister Cooper Kruah, accusing him of failing to engage with employees or address their grievances. They warned of unspecified actions if the government did not respond to their demands.
Responding to the situation, Minister Kruah clarified that the grievances should be directed at the CSA, as it was responsible for the report. “Instead, they came to the Ministry and locked the door, even though they haven’t received the report from the CSA yet,” Kruah remarked. He assured that once the CSA completes its investigation, the Ministry would review the findings and ensure the process is conducted fairly.
