IPNEWS: Montserrado County District #3 Representative Sumo Kollie Mulbah has submitted a bill to increase the minimum wage for workers in the private sector.
The bill, titled the Private Sector Minimum Wage Amendment Act of 2025, seeks to update the Decent Work Act of 2015 to reflect the current cost of living.
If passed, domestic workers would earn a minimum of 120 U.S. dollars per month, while unskilled concession workers would receive 200 US dollars, and skilled workers 250 US dollars monthly.
Teachers and staff in Liberian-owned private schools would earn between 150 and 170 dollars, and workers at small local businesses would make at least 143 US dollars per month.
Currently under the Decent Work Act of 2015, the minimum wage for domestic and casual workers stands at US $3.50 per day (about US $91 monthly). Unskilled workers in the formal sector, including concessions and industries, earn US $5.50 per day (about US $143 monthly).
The law does not set a specific minimum for skilled workers, thereby leaving wages to be determined by individual employment contracts.
Meanwhile, the new bill includes strong penalties for businesses that fail to comply, including fines, license suspensions, or possible closure for repeated violations.
Wage reviews would be conducted every two years, and small businesses may apply for a grace period to meet the new standards.
According to Representative Mulbah, the proposed legislation is aimed at improving workers’ welfare and adjusting wages to match rising inflation and living costs in the country.
