Government to Conduct Nationwide Inspections on Foreign Workers’ Work Permit Compliance
Aaron Parker The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has announced plans to conduct nationwide compliance inspections to ensure foreign nationals working in Sierra Leone possess valid work permits and comply with the country’s labour regulations.
The exercise will follow a notice issued by the Ministry two weeks ago, urging foreign workers to regularise their work permit status in accordance with existing laws.
In a press release, the Ministry said the inspections would involve targeted and unannounced visits to workplaces, business premises, institutions, project sites and other locations where foreign nationals are engaged in employment or business activities.
The exercise forms part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to enforce mandatory registration requirements for foreign nationals and ensure compliance with the country’s labour laws, particularly the Work Permit Act, 2023.
The Ministry has advised employers and foreign workers to ensure that all relevant labour documents are valid, up to date and readily available for verification during inspections.
It warned that individuals and businesses found violating the requirements would face enforcement measures in accordance with Sierra Leonean law, including applicable penalties and possible closure of business premises.
The Ministry said the nationwide exercise is intended to strengthen compliance with work permit regulations and ensure that foreign nationals working in Sierra Leone meet the legal requirements