The Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, has warned Sierra Leoneans seeking employment opportunities overseas to avoid dealing with unlicensed recruitment agencies, following growing concerns over illegal recruitment and exploitation.

Speaking at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s press conference in Freetown, Minister Koroma disclosed that more than 2,300 Sierra Leoneans have travelled through Guinea’s airport for overseas employment, highlighting the need for stronger regulation and monitoring of labour migration.

The Minister cited a recent case involving 12 Sierra Leoneans who were found at Guinea’s airport after allegedly being abandoned by recruiters. The group, comprising both men and women, reportedly claimed to possess labour permits and other official documents. However, authorities subsequently determined that documents purportedly issued by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Labour were fraudulent.

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Koroma identified Explore Sierra Leone Ltd and Daresallam Travelling and Employment Recruitment Agency (SL) Limited as agencies linked to the incident. He said the licence of Daresallam Travelling and Employment Recruitment Agency had been suspended since 2024. The matter has been referred to the police for investigation, while a Ministry staff member has also been handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department for questioning.

The Minister said the Ministry licenses overseas recruitment agencies under the Overseas Employment Act 2023 and regulates their operations. He, however, acknowledged that some agencies continue to operate outside the law, potentially exposing job seekers to trafficking, exploitation and other forms of abuse.

Following the Guinea incident, the Government temporarily suspended the recruitment of Sierra Leoneans travelling through Guinea for overseas employment. Koroma said the measure was intended to strengthen oversight while investigations and regulatory measures continue.

He stressed that the Government remains committed to ensuring that overseas labour migration takes place through safe, legal and dignified channels. He also said the Ministry is implementing the Employment Act 2023, including provisions intended to give Sierra Leoneans priority when employers seek workers, except where suitably qualified Sierra Leoneans are unavailable.

Koroma further disclosed that the Ministry is considering measures to improve the effectiveness of the national job portal and is conducting investigations into compliance with residential and work permit requirements in Sierra Leone.

The Minister urged citizens seeking overseas employment to consult the Ministry before engaging any recruitment agency, describing the institution as the first and last point of call for legitimate overseas employment opportunities. He also called for stronger supervision of recruitment agencies and effective monitoring of labour migration.

Koroma warned that individuals and agencies involved in illegal recruitment would face the full force of the law, while urging citizens to report suspected cases of illegal recruitment and irregular migration. He said preventing exploitation and unsafe migration requires collective action from Government, recruitment agencies and the public.