Jennings Wright President Sierra Leone Labour Congress (SLCC) in his statement congratulated President Bio and his government for winning the election, noting that government is continuity and that once you occupy the seat of the highest office in the land you are representing all the citizens of Sierra Leone.
He added that the Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation, Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the SLLC have been working together in cordiality and that none of them could exist without the other, noting that they need support and strength from the government so that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security can stand strong.
“Last year we partnered with NASSIT because the official founding day born day NASSIT is 1st May 2002 and they were celebrating their 15th anniversary. This year we are celebrating with Care International because of the theme: Ending Gender Based Violence for Sustainable Development,” Jenner Wright said.
According to Mr. Wright the Congress believes and has taken note of the messages that were written on the placards during the march past of workers and that it would be fine for the president to hear about it because over 60% of the banners carried were saying the same thing which is social security for all; most especially for the informal sector workers.
“The self-employed act that was enacted in 2001 did not cater for the informal sector and NASSIT is not friendly towards the informal sector,” Mr. Wright said.
Speaking on behalf of the President the Vice-President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh expressed his delight to be part of the commemoration ceremony as workers of Sierra Leone joined their counterparts across the world to celebrate the day.
He added that about 3 years ago precisely in January 2016 the Government of Sierra Leone declared May 1 a public holiday throughout Sierra Leone, noting that this action showcased the country’s determination to join other nations across the world to commemorate International Workers’ Day thus underscoring the value government attaches to workers in this country.
“International Workers’ Day is a day set aside to celebrate workers’ contribution to the socio-economic development of the country. We note with gratitude the contribution of workers in the various sectors of the economy including paying of taxes which is vital to the government revenue collection that is required for the development of the country,” Dr. Jalloh said.
