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The Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, has announced that a motion addressing the welfare of Members of Parliament (MPs) will soon be tabled before the House, describing improved welfare for lawmakers as a “fundamental right.”
Nyuma made the disclosure during parliamentary proceedings, where he argued that the welfare of elected representatives should not be viewed as a privilege but as an entitlement provided for under Sierra Leone’s legal framework.
“The motion will come before Parliament because it is our fundamental right,” Nyuma said while addressing Members during the sitting.
He said the proposed motion is aimed at improving the working conditions and wellbeing of MPs as they carry out their constitutional responsibilities.
Although details of the motion have not yet been made public, the announcement has renewed public discussion about the welfare and conditions of service of lawmakers.
The issue of parliamentary welfare has previously generated debate in Sierra Leone. In 2022, lawmakers defended proposals to improve their conditions of service, with Nyuma referencing Section 74(4) of the 1991 Constitution, which provides for MPs to receive salaries, allowances, gratuities, pensions, and other benefits as prescribed by Parliament.
In 2023, Parliament also considered the proposed Parliament Act, 2023, which sought to provide a framework for parliamentary administration, members’ welfare, salaries, and other benefits. The Bill was later withdrawn following mixed reactions from lawmakers and members of the public.
Supporters of improved welfare arrangements have argued that MPs undertake responsibilities beyond parliamentary sittings, including constituency engagements, committee assignments, and oversight functions.
However, critics have maintained that discussions on lawmakers’ benefits should take into account the country’s economic realities and broader public needs, while calling for transparency in any welfare-related proposals.
The latest announcement comes amid renewed attention on the welfare of lawmakers, including previous discussions on healthcare support following the illness and deaths of some MPs.
Any motion presented before Parliament will be subject to debate and consideration by Members before any decision is reached.
The proposed welfare motion is expected to attract public attention as Parliament considers how to balance improving lawmakers’ working conditions with wider national priorities.
