In a revelation that has triggered heated exchanges within government corridors, the Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), Josiah F. Joekai, told the Liberian Senate that nearly 3,000 Indian nationals are currently employed with ArcelorMittal Liberia in positions that Liberians are qualified to fill.
Joekai made the disclosure on Tuesday while appearing before the Liberian Senate as part of an inquiry into employment practices by foreign concessions operating in Liberia. His comments come at a time when youth unemployment and joblessness remain pressing national issues.
“We have found that about 3,000 Indian workers at ArcelorMittal are engaged in jobs that Liberians can do. These include technical and semi-skilled positions,” Joekai told lawmakers, stressing the need for urgent reforms and prioritization of local employment.
But the remarks did not sit well with Labor Minister Cllr. Cooper Kruah, who swiftly fired back, accusing the CSA boss of overstepping his mandate.
“Unfortunately, the Civil Service Director was at the Senate today to talk about work permits, which is completely outside his area,” said Minister Kruah.
“Civil Service deals with public sector workers. As a government, it is important to coordinate and consult because it is the same institution. That’s the way to run government.”
The tension underscores a broader struggle within government institutions over roles and responsibilities in regulating labor and employment, particularly in foreign concessions.
Joekai, in defense of his agency’s appearance before the Senate, took to Facebook to clarify his position and the legal basis of the CSA’s involvement.
“The letter from the President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate to the CSA is self-explanatory. In other words, the CSA simply honored the Senate’s mandate and its statutory responsibility as Chief Adviser to the Government of Liberia on Human Resources Management,” Joekai wrote.
He added that the agency’s expert briefing was in line with the 1973 Act that established the CSA, which gives it advisory authority on human resource matters within the government.
“I’m proud of the expert advice we provided the Liberian Senate today. It will assist the Committee on Labor to make an informed decision on this crucial national issue,” he stated.
Public Concerns and Broader Implications
The revelation of thousands of foreign workers in a major concession like ArcelorMittal, performing jobs that could potentially go to Liberians, has reignited longstanding debates over labor rights, economic nationalism, and the effectiveness of Liberia’s job protection policies.
ArcelorMittal, one of Liberia’s largest foreign investors, has yet to comment on the matter. In past statements, the company has maintained that it follows Liberian labor laws and prioritizes the hiring of qualified Liberians.
For now, the ball is in the Senate’s court. With the CSA’s report in hand and pushback from the Labor Ministry, lawmakers must determine whether stronger regulatory oversight is needed, or whether inter-agency conflict is distracting from Liberia’s urgent employment challenges.
