PHOTO: President George Weah, flanked by Labor Minister Charles Gibson and CETIS CEO, Roman Znidaric
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The Liberian government through the Ministry of Labor has commissioned a five million United States Dollars project aimed at digitizing the alien and work permit in the country.
Also commissioned were a consignment of logistics, including 15 pickups, four cars, two jeeps and 35 Yamaha motorcycles. The project will also provide employment a number of Liberians and accelerate the generation of revenue from the Ministry of Labor and the Liberia Immigration Service.
The commissioning of the project brings the Ministry of Labor among the institutions of government that are making massive contributions to the generation of revenue and the strengthening of the Liberian economy.
Speaking during the commission ceremony, President George Weah said government takes the rights of workers and employees in Liberia seriously.
He warned companies and individuals against not paying the necessary taxes as he understands the project, which is backed by 15 pickups, 39 motorcycles and two jeeps will help accelerate the generation of revenue.
“As a responsible government, we also have the duty to ensure that investors are treated fairly in their relationship with the government and with their employees.”
View of some of motorcycles and pickups
“However,” he said, “we will not hesitate to take stringent measures against any employers who attempt to evade the payment of government taxes or who try to infringe upon the rights of workers.”
“The Ministry of Labor has the statutory responsibility to ensure that Liberians are given priority to jobs in the private sector.”
“We must also ensure that Liberians are given wages that are comparable to foreigners doing the same job.”
“These policies must be adhered to without compromise,” he said; adding: “While we seek to increase revenue from greater efficiency in the work permit regime, we will not compromise the rights of our citizens to priority employment opportunities.”
“We also want to see gender equity in employment, in both the public and private sectors.”
“We will continue to seek to build our economy by increasing employment opportunities for Liberians and prioritizing capacity-building in the workplace.”
For his part, Labor Minister, Charles Gibson, disclosed that the project, which will last for five years , will double the revenue of government at the Ministry of Labor.
According to him, the project will also assist in digitizing the alien registration at the Liberia Immigration Service.
Minister Gibson pointed out that the project was a product of a survey conducted under the former Labor Minister, Chief Moses Kollie.
The Labor Minister added that it took about one year in negotiating and processing the legalization of the project.
The program was graced by members of the cabinet, representative of the legislature and senior staffs of the Labor Ministry.