Minister of Employment, Labour, and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has acknowledged that Sierra Leone’s current minimum wage is inadequate to meet the basic needs of its citizens.

In a recent interview on AYV Television, Swaray described the wage as “too low,” highlighting its inability to even cover the cost of a bag of rice.

In April 2023, the government of Sierra Leone increased the minimum wage from NLe600 to NLe800. However, there have been calls for further increments to meet the current cost of living.

“There is a prescribed way of increasing the minimum wage,” Swaray explained, revealing ongoing discussions with the Sierra Leone Labour Congress and the Employers Federation. He noted that these organizations have provided recommendations based on the “food basket situation,” which considers the cost of essential goods.

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However, Swaray stressed the importance of balancing the need for a higher minimum wage with the “ability to pay” of employers. “We clearly understand there is need to review the minimum wage upwards,” he stated. “But there is also, in all negotiations, even the law, the ability to pay provision.”

The Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to finding a middle ground that improves the living conditions of the most vulnerable while remaining feasible for businesses.

“We are also talking to employers, and we want to see how we can reach the middle ground to elevate the living conditions of the very poor who are hard-hit by the current economic challenges,” he said.