Government Slowdown Looms as Liberian Civil Servants Demand Delayed Salaries

Liberian civil servants have given the government until 15th December to pay their delayed salaries or they will take to the streets in protest. The ultimatum follows assurances by Senate President Albert Tugbe Chie that the government is “working very hard” to stabilise the payment of its employees by the end of February 2020. 

However, the outlook for Liberia’s bureaucrats seems bleak as the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning reports that the revenue authority has fallen short of its projected collection figures by approximately US$ 60million for the period between July and November. Mr Chie claims that the effects of this shortfall on government salaries has been exacerbated by an overall sluggish economy. 

The planned civil unrest comes amidst widespread political dissatisfaction in Liberia. On 31st December the Council of Patriots plans to hold protests against Liberian President and former professional footballer George Weah in a campaign entitled ‘Weah Step Down’. On 15th December the Civil Servants Union of Liberia (CSUL) has threatened to “get in the street and demand from the government to pay us” in a protest which will involve not only central government employees but also local officials, health workers and teachers.