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The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security (MELSS) has engaged Managing Directors and Human Resource Leads of commercial banks on compliance with Sierra Leone’s labour laws, with particular emphasis on workers’ entitlements, outsourcing and occupational safety and health.
The engagement, held in Freetown, brought together representatives of commercial banks, the Sierra Leone Labour Congress (SLLC), the Employers’ Federation and officials of MELSS. It forms part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to strengthen enforcement and encourage voluntary compliance with labour legislation across the private sector.
Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Mohamed Rahman Swaray, said the Ministry had taken steps to modernise labour legislation to address current and emerging challenges but stressed that effective enforcement remains essential.
“Even with the best legislation, enforcement will always be the real deal,” Minister Swaray said, adding that the Ministry would intensify enforcement while encouraging employers to voluntarily comply with labour laws.
He said the banking sector was targeted for the engagement because of concerns over labour practices, particularly outsourcing and compliance with workers’ severance and end-of-service benefits.
The Minister cited the recent transition involving Union Trust Bank (UTB) as a warning, stressing that the Ministry did not want a repeat of circumstances that could negatively affect workers.
He also highlighted Section 25 of the Employment Act, which provides for severance benefits, and expressed concern that some employers may not be making adequate provisions for workers’ end-of-service entitlements.
The Director of Labour and Employment, Idrissa Dumbuya made a presentation on key provisions and ongoing initiatives under the Employment Act and the Work Permit Act 2023, while the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health addressed workplace safety requirements applicable to the banking sector.
Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, Marx Conteh, described the engagement as important to ensuring that banking institutions comply with the Employment Act.
“This is very crucial for government to make sure that banking institutions are in conformity with Part Four of the Employment Act,” Conteh said, commending the Ministry and participating banks for their engagement.
Project officer of the Sierra Leone Employers Federation, Ivette Kargbo reaffirmed employers’ commitment to compliance with Sierra Leone’s labour laws, saying adherence to the law promotes decent work, protects workers’ rights and supports a fair and transparent labour market.
She called for continued collaboration among MELSS, the banking sector and employers’ organisations to strengthen compliance and accountability and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
The engagement concluded with discussions between the Ministry and banking-sector representatives on labour compliance, outsourcing, workers’ entitlements and occupational safety and health.
