Temporary Employment For Community Youth (TECY) Demands 13 Months Of Unpaid Salaries At Ministry Of Finance.
By: Melvin Flomo
Monrovia, Liberia – Today the Temporary Employment for Community Youth (TECY) workers took to the streets in protest outside the Ministry of Finance, demanding the immediate payment of 13 months worth of unpaid salaries. According to the protesters, their payments have been withheld by the government, dating back to the previous administration.
The TECY workers claimed that the former government owed them three months of unpaid wages from 2022. They further stated that the current administration, had promised to settle the arrears. However, 13 months later, the workers say they have yet to see any payments, leading to mounting frustration.
Meanwhile, as the protest intensified outside the Ministry of Finance, Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan summoned 10 representatives from the group to discuss their grievances. The meeting, held behind closed doors, aimed to find a resolution to the salary dispute, which has plagued TECY workers for over a year.
Following the discussion, Minister Ngafuan expressed sympathy for the workers plight but did not commit to a specific timeline for payment. “We understand the situation and will work closely with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, under which the workers were employed, to address the issue,” Ngafuan said. However, he cautioned that the ministry is facing numerous financial challenges and would need time to resolve the matter.
The Minister comments did little to placate the TECY protesters, many of whom expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of a clear resolution. One of the representatives, speaking after the meeting, said, “We have been patient, but this is too much. We were promised our salaries, and we need to feed our families, pay our children school fees and house rent. We can’t wait any longer.”
Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance through Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has assured the public that discussions are ongoing, with efforts being made to address the back pay issue in conjunction with other financial obligations. TECY workers listened and they left the street giving the government a little time to address their salaries issues.
The TECY salary dispute has sparked broader conversations about the treatment of temporary workers in Liberia, with many calling on the government to prioritize worker welfare and fulfill its financial commitments.
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