Sierra Leone reviews labour rules deemed difficult to apply
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sierra Loaded
Illustrative image · Safi Erneste · Pexels · Licence PexelsSierra Leone’s Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has begun reviewing the second schedule of the 2023 labour regulations after employers reported difficulties. The discussions bring together government, employers and workers in Freetown, according to the ministry.
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has begun a review of the Second Schedule of the 2023 Employment Regulations after employers reported difficulties in applying some obligations. The discussions brought together the government, the Employers' Federation and the Sierra Leone Labour Congress in Freetown on Wednesday 11 November 2026, according to Sierra Loaded.
The difficulties concern the mining and banking sectors as well as other industries. Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security Umaru Napoleon Koroma said these concerns existed before his appointment and continued to be raised by employers and workers. He said the ministry could not decide the outcome of the review alone and called on the three parties to reach a common position, according to Sierra Loaded.
The vice-president of the Employers' Federation, Tamba Allieu Kokobaye, supported the review, saying some provisions had not been sufficiently examined when the 2023 regulations were drafted. He said the current requirements were creating difficulties for several employers despite their willingness to comply. On the workers' side, Max Conteh raised the need to preserve existing rights and protections, according to Sierra Loaded.
Once an agreement is reached, the Ministry of Employment, the Employers' Federation and the Labour Congress must jointly present their position to the public, according to Umaru Napoleon Koroma. The review therefore aims to amend the disputed provisions while maintaining the protections granted to workers.
