Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan has assured that the federal government is dedicated to upholding the minimal wage invoice within the nation.
By Lewis S. Teh
Monrovia, Liberia; August 29, 2025 – Liberia Finance Minister, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, says the Authorities of Liberia stays absolutely dedicated to implementing the nationwide minimal wage within the public sector.
Minister Ngafuan’s assurance is available in response to large public criticism that some civil servants earn beneath the legally mandated threshold of US$150 per thirty days.
Addressing a information convention in Monrovia on Thursday, August 28, Minister Ngafuan stated, “Girls and gents, I’m happy to verify that this dedication has been absolutely applied.”
In line with him, in the course of the formulation of the 2025 nationwide price range, President Boakai issued a transparent directive, and the price range was adjusted accordingly to make sure that no central authorities worker earns beneath the minimal wage of US$150.
The Minister said that the Respectable Work Act, which governs labor requirements throughout the Republic, mandates a minimal month-to-month wage of USD 150 for all employees, each in the private and non-private sectors.
He famous that although the Ministry of Labor is tasked with monitoring compliance within the personal sector, the Ministry of Finance and Growth Planning has taken full duty for guaranteeing that central authorities payrolls align with the regulation.
He clarified that reviews of civil servants receiving lower than US$150 stem from confusion between gross and internet pay, noting that deductions like taxes, social safety, and mortgage repayments—usually private or statutory—don’t violate the minimal wage regulation.
Ngafuan additional clarified that authorities salaries are disbursed in a dual-currency construction, with 70% paid in U.S. {dollars} and 30% paid in Liberian {dollars}. This association, he says, coupled with a person’s monetary obligations, could affect the ultimate take-home quantity, however doesn’t alter the official wage construction.
Recognizing the necessity for broader public understanding of those monetary processes, he emphasised the significance of enhanced public schooling on issues of compensation and budgeting.
“We acknowledge that extra have to be finished to enhance public monetary literacy. A well-informed public is important for transparency and accountability, and we’re dedicated to open communication,” he added.
Minister Ngafuan inspired all authorities staff with questions or issues concerning their pay to hunt clarification by the suitable administrative channels.
The clarification adopted disagreement between the federal government and an ex-official of the Finance Ministry from the previous ruling Congress for Democratic Change over US$63.3 million unaccounted within the Civil Service Wage invoice, as indicated within the Ministry of Finance and Growth Planning Delicate-Time period Fiscal Yr Monetary Report.
On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, former Assistant Minister of Finance, who’s a staunch member of the opposition CDC, Benedict Kolubah, and the Director Basic of the Civil Service Company, Dr. Josiah Joekai engaged in heated argument, concerning increment within the wage invoice of the nation, regardless of eradicating ghost names from the payroll and making no extra appointment within the Civil Service. Modifying by Jonathan Browne
