Ministry of Employment Resolves Strike between ATS and Workers; Key Concessions Announced

The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, under the leadership of Minister Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has successfully mediated an agreement to end a two-day strike by employees of All Terrain Services SL Ltd. (ATS-SRL Project).

Following extensive discussions, both parties signed a joint communique on November 12, implementing a series of resolutions aimed at improving working conditions and employee welfare.

Key Agreements Reached

The terms of the agreement include notable benefits for the workers of ATS, aimed at addressing core grievances:

1. Increased Medical Allowance: Management has agreed to double the monthly dependents’ medical allowance from Le150 to Le300.
2. Daily Staff Transport: The company will now provide a daily shuttle service for employees, offering transportation from designated pick-up points to the workplace and back.
3. Food Security Measures: Effective from November 1, each worker will receive a 50kg bag of rice monthly along with a food allowance of Le400.
4. Enhanced Year-End Bonus: Management has committed to raising the end-of-year bonus from Le300 to Le500.
5. Fair Wages for Casual Workers: Grass cutters, classified as casual laborers, will now receive wages in alignment with the national minimum wage, effective from November 1.
6. Strike Amnesty: In a conciliatory move, ATS management has pledged not to take disciplinary action against any worker involved in the recent strike.

With these agreements in place, employees have agreed to return to work immediately.

Minister of Labor Rado Swaray, who facilitated the negotiations, praised the commitment of both ATS management and its workforce in reaching a peaceful resolution. He emphasized that this agreement underscores the Ministry’s dedication to fostering fair labor practices and protecting workers’ rights across Sierra Leone.

This joint communique marks a significant step in addressing employee welfare concerns at ATS and serves as an example of effective conflict resolution between employers and workers in the country.