MONROVIA, October 17 (LINA) - The Liberia Senate has unanimously voted to reject a proposal from the Civil Service Agency (CSA) to redundant about 30,000 employees of government.
The lawmakers said their decision is based on the Liberian Constitution which guarantees that all citizens are entitled to equal opportunity for work and employment regardless of sex, creed, and religion, amongst others. The decision was made Thursday following a tense deliberation over remarks by the CSA Director General George Werner confirming plans by government to dismiss the civil servants termed non-essential staff. The Senate described the proposal as “a disservice to ordinary citizens” who have experienced unbearable hardship, and that the proposals should be abandoned to avoid a repeat of the 1979 riot over suggested increase in the price of country’s staple, rice. They further argued that as servants of the people, issues that relate to their happiness and their well-being will not be “swept under the carpet”. During the deliberation, all 20 Senators present spoke against the proposal, including the Senate Pro-Tempore Gbehzongar Findley. At the same time, the Liberian Senate has ordered the Director General of the CSA to pay to government’s revenue a fine of L$4,999 and report a flag receipt presented to the body within 24 hours. Werner was also requested to publish an apology in seven local dailies for statement the Senate said was “an insult to the entire plenary, including ordinary Liberians who have been expressing their dissatisfaction about the planned redundancy.” LINA WTD/PSN/PTK/JKW