Labour Minister Engages Sierra Rutile Over Workers’ Welfare Concerns
Alusine Ahmed Kargbo Sierra Rutile has discussed redundancy payments, local employment opportunities and compliance with labour laws with Employment and Labour Minister Umaru Napoleon Koroma, amid concerns over workforce management at the company’s operations in Sierra Leone.
The discussions took place during a courtesy visit by the company’s management to the minister, following his appointment to the position.
One of the key issues raised was a redundancy exercise conducted in May that affected 14 managers through voluntary and compulsory redundancy. The company also sought engagement with the ministry on end-of-service benefits for the affected employees.
Chief Executive Officer Lima Sufian-Kargbo said the company wanted to maintain close working relations with the ministry, particularly on local content requirements and employment matters.
Sufian-Kargbo also highlighted the challenge of balancing staffing needs across the company’s Area One and Area Five operations while ensuring that people in both communities have access to employment opportunities.
Responding to the concerns, Koroma said the government wanted employers and workers to maintain a balanced relationship, describing cooperation between the two sides as important to a stable labour environment.
On the outstanding end-of-service benefits, the minister said the matter was before the court. He added that the ministry had requested guidance from the Attorney General’s Office on how the relevant legal provisions should be interpreted.
The minister also pointed to ongoing discussions between the government, the Employers’ Federation and the Labour Congress over the implementation of Section 25 of the Employment Act.
He said the two labour organisations had been asked to develop a practical approach to implementing the provision.
Koroma assured Sierra Rutile’s management that the ministry would continue to engage employers and workers to promote compliance with labour laws, protect employees’ rights and support job creation.
The discussions come as the company and the ministry seek to address employment-related concerns, including workforce management, local employment opportunities and the treatment of workers affected by redundancy.