The Minister of Employment, Labour, and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has said at the weekly Government Press Conference hosted by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, that there is a quiet revolution unfolding within the Ministry of Labour. The Minister said that with a renewed commitment from the President’s Big 5 Agenda, the ministry has set ambitious goals to meet the target of creating jobs for over 500 thousand Sierra Leoneans.

Highlighting his achievements so far, the Minister said that one significant achievement is the creation of the Market Information System, a tracker that monitors employment data from the informal sector, migration trends, enterprise data, and occupational safety. Additionally, the Ministry has introduced a Labour card to aid government planning and reform. These initiatives, he emphasized, address critical areas where more government intervention is needed.

“The primary purpose of the platform is to encourage job seekers to access posted jobs and register with the Ministry of Labour,” said Minister Swaray. “It facilitates job matching and tracks employment history” he continued. On employment in the Ministry, Mr. Swaray said that the Ministry, previously the least staffed for over a decade, now has clearance to employ up to 200 more Sierra Leoneans into decent jobs.

The Minister also spoke about the reviewing of work permits, which he said has led to significant reforms, generating over 16 million Leones this year, a substantial increase from the previous year’s less than 9 million Leones. Mr Swaray emphasised that the proceeds go to the consolidated fund, and by the end of the year, even better results are expected.

“In the next 90 days, we will be fully digital, enabling us to trace workers anywhere,” Minister Swaray announced.

Recognizing that real job opportunities lie in the middle manpower level, the Minister said that the ministry has engaged rigorously with employers, successfully resolving payment benefit disputes at Standard Chartered Bank, Sierra Rutile, Sierra Leone Airports Authority and other existing labor disputes.

The Minister said that a critical area being addressed is workmen’s compensation. He accepted that the current situation is dismal, with many workers retiring without benefits but emphasized that it will soon be a thing of the past as the Ministry has introduced a bill in parliament to reform workplace compensation, adding that with the legal backing, non-compliant employers will face shutdowns.

“We are aware that the current minimum wage is inadequate, and discussions to review it have commenced, the Minister acknowledged

On Labour migration issues, the Minister said that the Ministry has implemented measures to address unethical labour migration. He revealed that the Ministry has registered 23 private recruitment agencies to provide legal migration pathways, despite some individuals attempting to bypass them. He emphasized that these policies aim to ensure the provision of decent jobs for Sierra Leone who wish to work abroad.

Focusing on capacity building, The Minister said that this year, their meeting with the International Labour Organization (ILO) was the most successful to date, showcasing their unity through tripartism. He revealed that since 1976, the ministry had not been fully paid up to the ILO, but now they are a fully paid and respected member, unlocking numerous capacity-building opportunities for partnerships and systems.

On Social Safety Nets, the Minister revealed that with support from the World Bank, the ministry has targeted over 11,000 aged individuals with a social safety net program, details of which will be announced to the public in due course.

In conclusion, Minister Swaray revealed that for the first time in 63 years, the Ministry has implemented a policy on volunteerism, offering young people the chance to acquire skills and experience. “Our efforts are transforming the Ministry of Labour, ensuring that we provide better opportunities and protections for workers across the nation” He said.

Overall, these efforts are not only providing better opportunities and protections for workers but also contributing to the nation’s overall socio-economic development. The Ministry’s commitment to capacity building and its proactive engagement with international organizations like the ILO, underscore a renewed dedication to creating a more equitable and efficient labour market in Sierra Leone.