Monrovia – The tormented employees of Liberia’s Democratic International Election and Democratic Activities (EDA) program are demanding immediate pay and benefits after describing it as a “scheme” that strips legitimate compensation.
The conflict broke out following the sudden closure of US International Development Organization (USAID)-based projects in Liberia, including the EDA. Workers say they are blinded by the shutdown and now realize they are unpaid and unsupported.
According to employees, Democracy International (DI) conditiones a move that describes retirement, retirement benefits, and payments for contract balances (outlined in its own employee handbook) as very unusual and unfair based on USAID approval.
“We were told to choose between two options or payment methods. We believe this is unfair to American workers and should not be in the first place,” said one affected staff member. “After all, after our sacrifices, we are empty-handed, there is no communication. There is no payment. We are just silent.”
Staff say the negotiations were never enjoyed. They argue when Eda’s party leader Antonetta Hamandishu and the deputy party director left Liberia under the night cover on April 17, 2025 without notifying employees.
“We showed up at our office on Friday, April 18th, performed assets disposal and collected personal belongings, but only got told by the landlord that we left the night before,” one employee said. “Even the senior management members didn’t know when they left.”
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The EDA project is designed to strengthen Liberia’s electoral system and promote citizen engagement, employing dozens of Liberians in both technical and support roles. Many of these workers are currently struggling financially.
The light letter of Deeda staff stands in contrast to employees in other USAID-funded programs in Liberia, including DAI, Mercy Corps, WinRock, and PSI.
Suffering workers are currently urging democratic internationals to settle all outstanding payments by the end of the contract, which will be carried out until September 30, 2025. They are also urging USAID and its Liberian mission to ensure transparent monitoring of project closures and strict intervention by the Ministry of Labor.
“We believed in our work. We still do that. But justice starts at home. And now we want equity, dignity and wages that we deserve,” the workers said.
