LP, MDR Youth trade blows over Foreign Work Permit controversy

By: Kruah Thompson

Monrovia, Liberia: The Youth wings of the Liberty Party (LP) and the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) have traded verbal jabs over allegations surrounding the unauthorized issuance of work permits to foreign nationals, fueling a heated political controversy that is drawing national attention, an issue that is rapidly gaining national attention.

The controversy stems from recent accusations by Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, who claims that Labor Minister Cllr. Cooper Kruah, an MDR official, issued over 8,000 unauthorized work permits to foreigners.

According to Senator Dillon, many of the beneficiaries are working in occupations such as carpentry, plumbing, driving, and other vocations where many Liberians are trained but remain unemployed.

Although Minister Kruah has appeared before Senate committees and plenary sessions to defend his actions, the matter continues to fuel tension among the political youth blocs.

On Tuesday, June 16, 2025, the MDR Youth Congress held a press conference to counter Senator Dillon’s allegations.

 Addressing reporters, MDR Youth Chair Edwin C. Sampson defended Minister Kruah, noting that of the 8,000 permits issued, 6,980 went to non-African nationals, and 2,699 were granted to non-ECOWAS nationals. 

However, Sampson argue that the issuance of work permits is a “regulated, transparent, and collaborative process involving national security agencies,” and added that all associated revenues are routed through the Liberia Revenue Authority and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.

In their address, they MDR Youth Congress further accused Senator Dillon of politicizing the issue to damage Minister Kruah’s reputation and destabilize the Senate’s mandate, which called on the Ministry of Labor to generate US$10.5 million in statutory revenue, including work permit fees.

“How does he expect that US$10.5 million to be generated if not through statutory fees like work permits?” Sampson questioned.

Additionally, the group condemned what it described as Dillon’s ongoing attacks on MDR figures, including the late Nimba County Senator and party standard bearer, Evangelist Prince Y. Johnson. Sampson said Dillon’s past and current remarks about the late senator continue to offend the people of Nimba County and the broader MDR base.

Moments after the MDR youth press conference, the Liberty Party Youth Congress held a counter press briefing.

LP Youth Chair Othello Garpue who read the statement onbehalf of the group, voiced deep concern over the MDR’s attempt to justify the issue.

He notes that issuance of work permits for roles such as accounting, truck driving, store clerking, and warehouse work jobs that he said are neither scarce nor highly technical is unconstitutional.

Garpue threw his group’s full support behind Senator Dillon, describing his advocacy as a patriotic call to uphold Liberians’ constitutional and statutory rights to employment.

“Senator Dillon’s fight for employment justice is not just politically correct, it is morally right,” said Garpue. “Thousands of Liberians, including even MDR youths, are jobless because of this unpatriotic act.”

He cited the Decent Work Act of 2015, noting that it prohibits the issuance of work permits unless the applicant possesses skills not readily available in Liberia or is likely to generate employment or training opportunities for locals.

“Why should the Ministry of Labor give a work permit to a foreigner for an accountant job when thousands of Liberians graduate with accounting degrees each year? Why for a truck driving job when Liberians are skilled in that area? And why for jobs as basic as store boy or warehouse clerk when Liberian youths are being denied those same opportunities daily?” Garpue questioned, adding that these are “mind-boggling questions” 

“This is not about politics; it’s about the bread-and-butter issues. It’s about justice and fairness for Liberians in their own country,” Garpue emphasized.

Meanwhile Both youth wings have vowed to stand their ground and support their party as labour minister Cooper Kruah is expected to appear before the Senate hearing tomorrow at the Capitol Building on the matter at hand.