AYV News, July 29, 2026
The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security (MELSS) has engaged Managing Directors and Human Resource Managers of commercial banks in Sierra Leone on compliance with the country’s labour laws, with particular focus on workers’ entitlements, outsourcing, and occupational safety and health.
The engagement, held in Freetown on Tuesday, brought together representatives from commercial banks, the Sierra Leone Labour Congress (SLLC), the Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation, and senior officials of the Ministry. The meeting forms part of MELSS’s ongoing efforts to strengthen enforcement and encourage voluntary compliance with labour legislation across the private sector.
Addressing participants, the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Mohamed Rahman Swaray, said the government has taken significant steps to modernise the country’s labour laws to address evolving workplace challenges but stressed that effective implementation remains the key to protecting workers’ rights.
“Even with the best legislation, enforcement will always be the real deal,” Minister Swaray said, noting that the Ministry would continue to intensify monitoring and enforcement while encouraging employers to voluntarily comply with the law.
The Minister explained that the banking sector was selected for the engagement because of growing concerns over labour practices, particularly outsourcing arrangements and compliance with workers’ severance and end-of-service benefits.
He referenced the recent transition involving Union Trust Bank (UTB) as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding employees’ rights during institutional changes, stressing that the Ministry was determined to prevent similar situations that could negatively impact workers.
Hon. Swaray also drew attention to Section 25 of the Employment Act, which provides for severance benefits, expressing concern that some employers may not be making adequate provisions for workers’ end-of-service entitlements.
During the engagement, Director of Labour and Employment, Idrissa Dumbuya, presented key provisions of the Employment Act and the Work Permit Act 2023, highlighting the Ministry’s ongoing initiatives to improve labour standards. Officials from the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health also briefed participants on workplace safety requirements applicable to the banking industry.
Secretary-General of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, Marx Conteh, described the meeting as a timely intervention aimed at ensuring banking institutions comply with the provisions of 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, while commending both the Ministry and commercial banks for their commitment to constructive dialogue.
Representing the Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation, Project Officer Ivette Kargbo reaffirmed employers’ commitment to observing Sierra Leone’s labour laws, noting that compliance promotes decent work, protects employees’ rights, and contributes to a fair, transparent and productive labour market.
She called for sustained collaboration between the Ministry, employers and the banking sector to strengthen accountability, improve labour standards and support sustainable economic growth.
The engagement concluded with an interactive session during which participants discussed labour law compliance, outsourcing practices, workers’ entitlements, and occupational safety and health, reaffirming a shared commitment to promoting decent work and strengthening industrial relations in Sierra Leone.
