Liberia, March 2 -- Labour Minister Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah Sr. has, with immediate effect, mandated two hiring (subcontractor) companies operating at the Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC) in Grand Bassa County to pay retroactive wages to more than 500 contractors for unlawful salary deductions and underpayment.

Earlier this year, Minister Kruah led a Labour Ministry delegation to LAC to assess the living and working conditions of employees. During the visit, several contractors informed the Minister that they were being paid below Liberia's statutory minimum wage.

LAC management distanced itself from the allegations, stating that the affected workers were employed by independent hiring firms and not directly by the company.

Following th...