The House of Representatives has requested the appearances of the Minister of Labor, along with representatives from Firestone, Equatorial Palm, LAC, and Golden Veroleum, to appear before the plenary on October 28. This decision was made to facilitate a comprehensive review of the current minimum wage policies and the enforcement of the Decent Work Law (2015).
During Thursday, October 16, 2025, sitting, Grand Bassa District 5 Representative, Thomas Goshua, expressed concern that the existing minimum wage does not match the rising cost of living in Liberia.
Representative Goshua pointed out that the Minimum Wage Board, a statutory body tasked with recommending wage adjustments, appears not to be fulfilling its responsibilities adequately, which raises issues about compliance with established labor standards.
The House urged these stakeholders to clarify their plans for adjusting wages and to explain why the Decent Work Law is not being fully implemented across the country. The lawmakers emphasized their commitment to addressing the fundamental economic issues affecting workers and their families. The joint committee is expected to review the matter thoroughly and report its findings within four weeks.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has mandated its Committees on Education and Judiciary to review and report on a proposed bill aimed at establishing the Paynesville School System within two weeks. The bill titled “Paynesville School System 2025,” seeks to create an autonomous body responsible for managing primary and secondary public schools within the city of Paynesville.
According to a release issued by the House’ Press Bureau, the bill is sponsored by Montserrado County District 5 Representative Prescilla Abram Cooper.
The release added that the bill aims to streamline administration and enhance educational oversight in the city. The House’s decision signals a swift move toward potentially restructuring Paynesville’s public education framework, with the joint committee expected to scrutinize the proposal and submit its findings promptly.
At the same time, the Plenary of the House of Representatives has mandated its Joint Committees on Agriculture, Investment & Concession, and Internal Affairs to probe the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, regarding the reported disbursement of Four Million United States Dollars (US$4,000,000.00) to 500 farmers across eight counties under the Public Sector Investment Project (PSIP), implemented through the Ministry of Agriculture.
The decision by Plenary followed a formal communication from Hon. Austin Taylor, Representative of Maryland County Electoral District #3, who called for the Minister’s appearance to provide detailed information on the management and allocation of the said funds.
In his communication, Hon. Taylor commended the Government of Liberia for its continued support of farmers and efforts to boost agricultural productivity across the country. However, he expressed concern over the exclusion of counties within the South-Eastern region, including Maryland County, from the list of beneficiaries under the PSIP initiative.
“While I commend the Government for supporting our farmers and promoting agricultural development, it is important to note that counties within the South-Eastern region, including Maryland County, were not listed among the beneficiaries of this program. The exclusion of these counties raises questions about the selection criteria and the principle of equitable regional inclusion in national development programs,” Hon. Taylor stated.
He further requested that the Minister of Agriculture appear before the House to:
- Provide a detailed breakdown of beneficiaries by county;
- Explain the criteria used in selecting the benefiting farmers and counties; and
- Clarify why Maryland County and other South-Eastern counties were excluded from the program.
Hon. Taylor emphasized that ensuring regional balance in the distribution of public resources is critical to fostering national unity and inclusive development.
Following deliberations, Plenary voted to mandate the Joint Committees to thoroughly investigate the matter and report findings and recommendations within the statutory period.
