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The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has inaugurated a National Technical Committee aimed at strengthening labour migration governance in Sierra Leone.
The initiative seeks to transition the country from what stakeholders described as a reactive and fragmented migration system to a more regulated, rights-based framework designed to protect citizens from trafficking, exploitation, and unsafe migration practices.
Delivering the keynote address during the inauguration ceremony, Deputy Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Lansana M. Dumbuya, highlighted the growing importance of labour migration to national development.
He disclosed that global remittances reached an estimated USD 905 billion in 2024, while Sierra Leone received approximately USD 293 million in remittances in 2023, representing between 4.6 percent and 6.1 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Despite the economic benefits, the Deputy Minister warned that poorly managed migration continues to pose serious risks. He cited challenges including irregular migration, weak coordination mechanisms, exploitation of migrant workers, unregistered recruitment agencies, human trafficking, and migrant smuggling.
He also referenced reports of Sierra Leoneans stranded in transit and destination countries, as well as deaths linked to dangerous irregular migration routes.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration, Isata Khan, described the launch of the Technical Committee as a significant milestone in reforming labour migration governance in Sierra Leone.
According to her, the initiative will focus on strengthening policy and legal frameworks, improving institutional coordination, and enhancing protection mechanisms for migrant workers.
She further noted that the programme will support ethical recruitment systems, pre-departure orientation programmes, and nationwide awareness campaigns on the dangers associated with irregular migration.
Stakeholders at the event reaffirmed their commitment to promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration while safeguarding the rights and dignity of migrant workers in Sierra Leone.
