Monrovia, Liberia – With immediate effect, the Liberian government, acting through Hon. Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah, Sr., Minister of Labor, has mandated the full employment of fifty-nine casual daily recruited workers at two major investment companies: the Menzeh Zinc Factory on Bushrod Island and Supreme Liberia, Inc.
Menzeh Zinc makes items made of zinc and aluminum, whereas Supreme Liberia manufactures mattresses. Minister Kruah also ordered that professional contract workers be immediately promoted to full-time employment status with a minimum wage of US$175.00 (one hundred seventy-five US dollars), while all casual daily hired workers must receive a monthly payment of at least $150.00 (one hundred fifty US dollars).
Additionally, Minister Kruah ordered the Menzeh Zinc Factory’s management to promptly substitute Liberian workers with equivalent qualifications and benefits for any Pakistani nationals now operating the company’s forklifts.
“Under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s Rescue Mission Government, we will never again let foreigners to undertake tasks exclusively designated for Liberians because our people need and deserve to work and raise their economic status, Minister Kruah said.
As part of his continued familiarity with employees, management, and working conditions around the nation, Minister Kruah issued the mandate during an on-the-spot inspection trip to the two investment companies.
However, he advised employees of both companies, as well as those at big financial companies, to avoid using violence to settle disputes and to instead use social conversation as the most effective method.
The Labour Minister also urged the two organizations’ management to offer advance monthly payments upon worker requests, supply necessary safety equipment for the plant, and foster cordial interpersonal working relationships.
In order to make sure that these instructions are followed, he also pledged to arrange for frequent follow-up inspections by labor inspectors. in a different thank-you note for their interactions with the Labour Minister.
Both Mohamed Asif, the general manager of Menzeh Zinc Factory, and Mr. Jaspal Singh, the chairman of Supreme Liberia, Inc., thanked Minister Kruah for the visit and promised to fully abide by all current labor laws, including the Minister’s order.
Employees of the two businesses, for their part, commended Minister Kruah for the visit, calling it the first by a senior government official since the businesses’ founding more than two years ago.
