IPNEWS: The long-hidden payroll for the Liberian Senate’s administrative staff has been uncovered, revealing what staff believe to be widespread fraud and dishonesty. The discovery has led to significant anger and apprehension among employees.
A staffer from the Press and Public Affairs Section revealed that these fraudulent practices have caused suffering for them over 18 years.
He told us how the STAFF have for so long live on an unorthodox process called “Dig Hole, Cover Hole”:
A devastating practice where their little salaries are mortgage against a 25% interest rate. The “Dig hole, cover hole” has resulted in over 90% of staff going home every month with absolutely nothing, as their entire salaries are used to cover mysterious debts or allocations.
Staff members were openly discussing the discovery and potential actions against the system and those involved.
Another staffer from the Operations Department expressed shock at the salary disparities, noting that, how in this world, family members and cronies in the Finance Department earn “far more” than others in the same positions with the same qualifications? What was more concerning was to see middle and Jr staff of the department earning way more than DIRECTORS.
Staff had planned a surprise major protest set to begin on Monday, October 12, which would included:
· Shutting down every office.
· A “go-slow” work action.
· Locking the Senate Chamber, amongst other actions.
In a move toward dialogue following the threat of protest, the Directors and Deputy Directors at the Senate held separate meetings to deescalate tension as the Legislature return next week. The two groups call for calm, assuring that everything will be done to bring these issues to the attention of the Senate leadership, through the Committee on RULES, ORDER and ADMINISTRATION.
Director Jonathan Robinson was engaged in a more than two-hour meeting with the staff association’s President-elect, Mr. Arthur T. Gibson, explaining the decisions of the Directors, who are solely in the interest of the general good.
Mr. Gibson committed the staff to “amicable dialogue,” leading to the planned protests being put on hold. He applauded the effort of Directors for swiftly convening meetings aim at finding a resolution.
Staff Outgoing Chairman Fayiah J Bombo voiced his strong anger, stating he is “sick and tired” with the Senate leadership and the Finance Department’s attitude toward fellow staffers and is ready to support any effort for change. He demanded an impartial investigation.
Mr. Jonathan S. Robinson confirmed the Senate payroll assessment is 95% complete. Findings will be shared with all department heads, followed by recommendations. He emphasized the exercise is against “an unfair payroll system” and not any individual or group, urging staff to “avoid being personal.”
Quoting the Bible, he stated the goal is to “give to Caesar what belongs to him, and to give to God what belongs to God.”
Our request for a copy of the assessment report was turndown by Mr. Jonathan S. Robinson , as he intimated that the full assessment report is currently internal, but the public will be informed of the recommendations after a meeting with the Committee on Rules, Order, and Administration (ROA). He said “certain information will be treated CONFIDENTIAL until as such time when it’s necessary for the public.”
Sources indicate a key, uncompromising recommendation will be for the General Auditing Commission (GAC) and Civil Service Agency – Liberia (CSA) to AUDIT the payroll and STANDARDIZE salaries in line with the Standardization Act of 2019.
Director Robinson praised Senator J. Gbleh-bo Brown, Chairman of the ROA Committee, for his timely response to the crisis , as the Senator has called for a meeting on Monday.
Efforts to get comments from the Human Resource and Finance Departments, two departments at the center of these controversies were unsuccessful.
The public will be informed of the outcome of the upcoming critical meeting on Monday with the ROA Chairman, Sen. J Gbleh-bo Brown .
