Nimba Labour Office: Ganta Hospital Must Pay Minimum Wage, Settle Arrears

• The Nimba Labour Office ordered Ganta United Methodist Hospital to pay salary arrears following an investigation.
• The investigation revealed some hospital employees were paid below Liberia's US$143 monthly minimum wage.
• The hospital must begin paying US$143 monthly by September 2026 and settle all outstanding arrears by September 30, 2026.
• This action enforces Liberia's labor laws and the Decent Work Act of 2015.
• The hospital administrator, Jackson Zomoway, declined to comment on the matter, citing advice from his lawyer.

The investigation confirmed that some employees at the Ganta United Methodist Hospital were being paid less than the established benchmark of US$143 per month.

The Nimba Labour Office has issued a directive to the Ganta United Methodist Hospital, mandating the settlement of outstanding salary arrears for its employees. This order follows an investigation by the Ministry of Labour's local office in Nimba County, which uncovered that certain staff members were receiving compensation below the legally mandated minimum wage in Liberia. Commissioner Alexander Suomie of the Nimba County Labour Office announced the findings on Monday, August 31, 2026, stating that the hospital's existing pay structure was not in alignment with national labor regulations, specifically referencing the Decent Work Act of 2015.

The investigation confirmed that some employees at the Ganta United Methodist Hospital were being paid less than the established benchmark of US$143 per month. As a result, the hospital administration has been instructed to ensure all employees receive a minimum of US$143 monthly, effective September 2026. Furthermore, the institution has been granted a 30-day period, from August 31 to September 30, 2026, to rectify all salary discrepancies and bring its compensation practices into full compliance with Liberia's labor laws.

When contacted for comment on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Jackson Zomoway, the administrator for Ganta United Methodist Hospital, chose not to address the matter. Zomoway indicated that his legal counsel had advised him to refrain from public statements regarding the issue until an appropriate time. This development underscores the active enforcement of the Nimba Labour Office Ganta Hospital minimum wage compliance order.

The directive from the Nimba Labour Office highlights the critical importance of adhering to Liberia's labor laws and the Decent Work Act of 2015. The specific violation identified at Ganta United Methodist Hospital involved paying employees below the national minimum wage of US$143 per month, a clear breach of established legal standards. Commissioner Suomie emphasized that the Labour Office's role is to ensure that all employers within Nimba County uphold these national labor standards.

The 30-day ultimatum issued to the hospital is a direct measure to enforce the Liberia minimum wage compliance order. This period is intended for the hospital to not only disburse all outstanding salary arrears but also to permanently adjust its compensation framework to meet the legal requirements. The Commissioner affirmed that the Nimba County Labour Office would closely monitor the hospital's adherence to this directive, signaling a proactive stance on Liberia Decent Work Act 2015 enforcement.

This action serves as a strong reminder to all businesses and institutions operating in the region about the consequences of Liberia labor law violations. The Labour Office's commitment to oversight extends beyond this specific case, with a stated intention to continue enforcing national labor standards across the entirety of Nimba County, ensuring fair wages and working conditions for all employees.

Ganta United Methodist Hospital, a long-standing faith-based medical facility in Nimba County, boasts a rich history, having been established in the 1920s by missionary physician Dr. George Way Harley. For decades, it has been a cornerstone of healthcare provision in the region. Despite its significant community role, the hospital has previously encountered difficulties concerning the timely payment of its workforce. Approximately three years prior to the current order, delays in salary disbursements reportedly led medical staff to initiate a "go-slow" protest to pressure management into addressing their concerns.

In recent years, the hospital's management had reported improvements in its financial administration, particularly regarding the prompt payment of employee salaries. However, despite these reported advancements in payment schedules, underlying concerns among some employees about the actual level of their wages persisted. The recent intervention by the Nimba Labour Office has prompted questions within the community about why this particular hospital was targeted, especially given widespread allegations of extremely low wages, sometimes below US$50 per month, at other establishments including hotels, schools, and private businesses throughout Nimba County. It remains unclear whether similar investigations have been initiated into these other entities.

The Labour Commissioner's commitment to monitoring the hospital's compliance and enforcing national labor standards across Nimba County suggests a broader push for adherence to labor regulations, even as questions about the scope of these enforcement efforts remain.

This case demonstrates active enforcement of Liberia's minimum wage and labor laws by the Nimba Labour Office, signaling increased scrutiny for employers in the region. Lawyers should advise clients to proactively review their compensation structures for compliance with the Decent Work Act and other labor regulations to mitigate exposure to similar enforcement actions.

Source: Original reporting via Liberian Observer