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Sierra Leone’s Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohamed Rahman Swarray, has described the country’s current minimum wage as “low and dismal,” confirming that government will announce a revised national minimum wage before the end of 2025.
Speaking in an official briefing, Minister Swarray said President Julius Maada Bio recognises that the existing minimum wage is inadequate, especially in the face of ongoing economic hardship. He emphasised that the planned upward adjustment is aimed at easing the strain on ordinary Sierra Leoneans.
According to the minister, the announcement of the new minimum wage will be made after a scheduled meeting of the Joint National Negotiating Board (JNNB) on 9 December 2025.
“The law mandates us as the Authority to make the announcement in consultation with the Joint National Negotiating Board,” he said, adding that once the meeting concludes, the new figure will be made public.
Swarray noted that work on updating labour-related legislation had begun before he assumed office. He highlighted that several outdated laws – such as the Wages and Industrial Relations Act of 1971, which once guided labour matters -have now been replaced or reviewed.
He cited the Employment Act 2023, migration laws, and the Social Protection Authority Act as key reforms already completed, stressing that many of the nation’s laws had long been outdated.
Reflecting on the current economic conditions, the minister acknowledged that Sierra Leoneans are facing difficult times. “The current minimum wage which the ordinary Sierra Leoneans are receiving is low and dismal and it is not helping the situation,” he said. He added that government is fully aware of the global economic pressures affecting the country, which makes a wage review even more urgent.
He reiterated that the minimum wage will be reviewed and announced before the end of 2025, assuring citizens that government intends to support workers through a meaningful and timely adjustment.
