–Fubbi A. Henries Urges Lawmakers to Reform Social Security Law, Expand Welfare Services for Elderly, Persons with Disabilities, and Vulnerable Liberians
MONROVIA – Former legislative aspirant Fubbi A. Henries has petitioned the House of Representatives to amend the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) Act, arguing that Liberia’s current pension and welfare system falls short of regional standards and fails to adequately protect retirees and vulnerable citizens.
Henries formally presented the petition to Montserrado County District #8 Representative Prince A. Toles, urging the 55th Legislature to undertake a comprehensive review of Chapter 89 of the Executive Law governing NASSCORP in order to strengthen pension benefits and operationalize the corporation’s long-dormant welfare mandate.
“We have petitioned the House on several occasions,” Henries said while presenting the document, noting that his first major appeal for reforms was submitted in August 2016, eventually contributing to amendments enacted the following year. However, he argued that the revised law still does not fully reflect international best practices or adequately address Liberia’s growing social protection needs.
Calls for Better Pension Benefits
Henries said one of the principal objectives of the proposed amendment is to improve retirement benefits for Liberian workers.
Drawing comparisons with neighboring countries, he argued that retirees in Liberia receive significantly lower pension benefits than workers with similar employment histories elsewhere in the sub-region.
“If two people retire at the same time with the same salary—one in Ghana and one in Liberia—the Ghanaian retiree receives a better pension benefit,” Henries asserted, saying Liberia’s pension framework requires modernization to better serve workers after decades of public service.
Welfare Component “Has Never Worked”
Henries also criticized what he described as the failure to implement the welfare provisions envisioned under the NASSCORP Act.
Although the institution is officially known as the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation, he noted that its welfare component has remained largely dormant since its establishment.
“The welfare component has never worked,” Henries said, arguing that previous amendments left implementation largely at the discretion of the Director General rather than providing clear legislative direction.
According to Henries, lawmakers have a responsibility to establish clear statutory guidelines that would enable the welfare scheme to function as originally intended.
Assistance for the Most Vulnerable
The petition proposes expanding social protection to vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, visually impaired citizens, elderly Liberians, and economically disadvantaged families.
Henries argued that an effective welfare system could significantly reduce street begging by providing structured government assistance to those most in need.
He also called for greater support for visually impaired students, including expanded educational services and broader use of sign language during government broadcasts and official public events.
“I think we need to give more support,” he said, emphasizing that Liberia’s social protection framework should become more inclusive.
Healthcare and School Feeding
Henries’ proposals extend beyond pensions.
He said many women who give birth in public hospitals are often unable to leave medical facilities because they cannot immediately settle their medical bills, forcing them to seek assistance from politicians and government officials.
According to him, an operational welfare program could help provide financial assistance in such situations, reducing hardship for struggling families.
He also advocated for expanding school feeding programs in public schools.
While acknowledging that government currently supports limited school feeding initiatives through donor assistance, Henries argued that Liberia should establish a sustainable domestic funding mechanism capable of extending the program nationwide.
“We’ll also provide suggestions on how to generate the funds so government and working people can jointly support the welfare fund,” he said.
Funding Proposals Included
Henries disclosed that the petition contains recommendations on possible financing mechanisms to sustain both expanded pension benefits and welfare services.
He argued that government, employers, and contributors could collectively help establish a more effective social protection system capable of supporting retirees and vulnerable citizens.
“You can’t live in a country, reach 60 or 70 years old, no longer be actively working, and end up begging on the streets,” he said. “Government should have some kind of program to manage that.”
Lawmaker Promises Legislative Review
Receiving the petition on behalf of the House of Representatives, Representative Prince A. Toles welcomed the initiative and assured Henries that the proposal would be submitted to Plenary for consideration.
“I received the petition, and I will put it before Plenary. We will discuss it and determine how best it serves the interests of our people,” Toles said.
“I think it’s something good, and I will place it before Plenary.”
About NASSCORP
The National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) was established by an Act of the National Legislature in 1975 to administer Liberia’s social security system. The institution currently manages the National Pension Scheme, the Employment Injury Scheme, and the Welfare Scheme. However, while the pension and employment injury schemes have been operational for decades, the Welfare Scheme has never been fully implemented, largely due to years of civil conflict and funding constraints. The current operating law, enacted in 2016 and implemented in 2017, expanded NASSCORP’s mandate and transferred responsibility for managing civil service pensions to the corporation.
Longtime Advocate for Reform
Henries, a finance professional and former legislative aspirant, has long advocated for reforms aimed at strengthening public accountability and social protection. He previously campaigned for legislative reforms concerning public financial management and has repeatedly petitioned lawmakers on improving Liberia’s pension and welfare systems.
If acted upon by lawmakers, his latest petition could reopen debate over the future of Liberia’s social security system and whether the long-envisioned welfare component of NASSCORP should finally become fully operational to provide broader protection for the country’s most vulnerable citizens.
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