𝐁𝐲 𝐒𝐢𝐫–𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐒 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐛𝐞𝐡
While I am an advocate for thorough reform of our labor and human resource systems, I would like to point out that amending Liberia’s Decent Work Act through combination with the Civil Servant Agency norms and standards is important. However, there are some unethical practices by some employees in the labor that cannot be hidden.
My advocacy is against unfair labor practices while also fighting for decent governance.
However, it is also crucial that we tell the truth to authority and remain impartial at all times, free of sentiments or sympathies. The recent controversy surrounding Liberia’s Ministry of Labor has highlighted major issues of corruption and administrative integrity. Minister of Labor, Cllr. Cooper Kruah, terminated four employees: Samuel S. Sambolah, Victor S. Whymah, Edwin S. Sebo, and Bill S. Ninneh citing their involvement in behavior unbecoming of public servants.
While these employees have claimed their dismissals were unjust and illegal, citing procedural errors and prejudices inside the Ministry, hidden recordings have surfaced that depict a different picture.
These recordings indicate that the fired employees were participating in a plot to extort money from Chinese investors, which is a major violation of ethical and legal standards.
𝐔𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞
The ideals of transparency, accountability, and integrity apply to the Ministry of Labor, as they do to other government entities. Liberia’s Decent Work Act and the Constitution require public personnel to observe the highest ethical standards.
Corrupt practices, such as extortion, directly contravene these ideals and erode public trust in government institutions. Given the gravity of the allegations leveled against the accused employees, Minister Kruah’s decision to fire them appears appropriate. However, his decision may be discussed during the Civil Service Agency hearing on Monday, July 15, 2024.
𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
The covert recordings provide solid proof that the fired workers intended to extort money from foreign investors under the guise of investigating unlawful business practices. This not only constitutes a terrible abuse of their power, but it also jeopardizes the business climate in Liberia by instilling fear and uncertainty in foreign investors. Corruption, particularly extortion, is a serious infraction that requires fast and strong action to defend the Ministry’s integrity and national interests.
𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬
The fired employees’ conduct is in sharp contrast to the legal and ethical norms that public servants are expected to uphold. The Decent Work Act, which seeks to maintain fair labor practices and defend workers’ rights, implicitly requires that those who enforce the law follow it. Furthermore, the Liberian Constitution enshrines the ideals of justice and fairness, which are breached when public officials participate in corrupt practices. By firing these personnel, Minister Kruah helped to protect the rule of law and the Ministry’s ethical standards.
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐒𝐀‘𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞
The aggrieved employees have expressed concerns about the procedural aspects of their dismissals, alleging a lack of formal disciplinary hearings and the absence of an inquiry. While these procedural flaws are significant and must be remedied by the Civil Service Agency (CSA), they do not diminish the gravity of the charges made against the workers.
The CSA’s impending hearing will be an opportunity to assess the process and ensure that due process was followed. However, the major attention should be on the Ministry’s integrity and the behavior of the fired personnel.
𝐖𝐫𝐚𝐩–𝐮𝐩
Let me conclude by saying that Minister Kruah’s decision to dismiss the four employees amid allegations of corruption may reflect a commitment to upholding the Ministry of Labor’s standards and protecting Liberia’s interests if the case is heard at the CSA and the minister’s decision is supported.
While the procedural objections mentioned by the fired employees must be addressed by the CSA to ensure fairness and openness, the fundamental issue of corruption cannot be overlooked.
The proof of extortion plans against Chinese investors emphasizes the importance of the dismissals. Maintaining public trust and maintaining ethical conduct within the Ministry is critical, and Minister Kruah’s actions in these circumstances are both justified and necessary.
As necessary as the procedural features of the dismissals may be evaluated to guarantee justice, the charges of corruption constitute a major breach that justifies Minister Kruah’s actions. Maintaining the integrity of public service is critical to Liberia’s prosperity and reputation, and any efforts done to safeguard it should be supported.
𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫:
𝐒𝐢𝐫-𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐒 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐛𝐞𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐧
𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
𝐖: +𝟒𝟗𝟏𝟓𝟐𝟏𝟑𝟖𝟖𝟓𝟎𝟑𝟎 𝐄: 𝐠𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐛𝐞𝐡@𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦
