AYV News, June 13, 2024

Sierra Leone is currently working with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to source funding to implement Phase Two of the Decent Work Country Programme, targeting the creation of 100,000 jobs in the next three years for women, youth and persons living with disabilities.
Minister of Employment, Mohamed Rahman Swaray told the General Assembly of the 112th Session of International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva that his government’s focus is on leveraging the dividends of a youthful population, adding that with educational reforms that have increased enrolment, retention and completion, alongside intensified vocational training, government has committed to creating 500,000 jobs in the next five years.
Mr. Swaray said: “Sierra Leone is establishing a Social Protection Agency to coordinate social protection responses and extend social protection to the informal sector in accordance with Convention 102. We thank ILO for their technical support. Furthermore, we are far advanced in implementing a national health insurance scheme that includes persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable demographic groups.
“Our government has enhanced tripartism by institutionalising social dialogue to promote inclusive and effective governance, to foster a shared understanding of the challenges faced by employers, workers, and the government, and to provide a forum for the implementation of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and other relevant conventions and recommendations.
“Sierra Leone has recently ratified nine conventions and one protocol and also reviewed our obsolete Labour laws in a bid to strengthen the legal framework and protect the rights of workers and employers. The country has migrant workers in many GCC countries and the Middle East. Sierra Leone wishes to add its voice to the global calls for the fair treatment of migrant workers wherever they are”.