Post a comment 
The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has clarified the legal framework governing the payment of severance benefits in a dispute involving former employees of Sierra Tropical Limited in Sumbuya, Lugbu Chiefdom, helping to resolve tensions between workers and the company’s management.
The dispute emerged after some former workers, including employees who resigned and others whose appointments were terminated, argued that their severance benefits should be calculated under the Employment Regulations, 2023.
The workers claimed that the Agricultural Trade Group Collective Bargaining Agreement had expired and could no longer be used as the basis for severance payments.
In response to the disagreement, the Ministry dispatched a delegation led by Assistant Directors of Labour and Employment, Mr. Moses Conteh and Mr. Osman Kargbo, who is Officer in Charge of the Southern Region, to engage stakeholders in Sumbuya.
The engagement brought together Paramount Chief Nallo, the area Member of Parliament, representatives of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, civil society representatives, traditional authorities, and the General Manager of Sierra Tropical Limited, Mr. Kwame Waife.
During the discussions, the Ministry clarified that under Section 33(3)(b) of the Industrial Relations and Trade Unions Act, 2024, a Collective Bargaining Agreement remains legally binding even after its expiration until a new agreement replaces it.
The Ministry further explained that workers below supervisory level are covered by the Agricultural Trade Group Agreement, while Schedule Two of the Employment Regulations, 2023 applies only to employees above supervisory level.
Based on this interpretation of the law, the Ministry confirmed that the Agricultural Trade Group Agreement 2019 remains the lawful basis for calculating severance benefits for all workers below supervisory level at Sierra Tropical Limited.
Following the clarification, management of Sierra Tropical Limited reaffirmed its commitment to completing arrangements for the affected former employees to receive their severance payments directly into their respective bank accounts.
The Ministry said the intervention helped to clear misunderstandings between workers and management and reinforced its commitment to maintaining industrial peace and ensuring lawful labour administration across the country.
