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British High Commission employees are asking for full payment of their authorized 30% leave allowance, which they claim has been underpaid for over four years.
According to staff members, the British High Commission has limited their leave stipend to only 11.5%, despite the country’s legislation requiring a 30% entitlement.
The matter was raised in 2021, when the Ministry of Labor clarified that the leave allowance, as stated in the September and October 2020 Gazettes, applicable to all employers in Sierra Leone, as well as diplomatic missions.
However, the British High Commission has yet to comply with this legal mandate, causing major unhappiness among local employees. Ex-employees have also claimed being refused delayed salary increases and full entitlements after departing.
Workers allege that the Commission has demonstrated little urgency to solve their legal claims but moved to adopt new withheld tax regulations for diplomatic posts. Employees have also raised concerns about the workplace atmosphere that promotes harassment, bullying, and discrimination.
The British High Commission held culture training sessions in 2023 to respond to these challenges, but many employees believe the training did not address the root causes.
The British High Commission employees have expressed their concerns but stated that they have been sacked, with some colleagues fearing punishment for speaking up.
The BHC has yet to respond to the allegations despite many attempts. Local employees are demanding a prompt payment of the full 30% leave allowance and back pay from October 2020, as well as a public commitment from the BHC to adhere to the country’s labor laws and treat local employees fairly.
