The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security (MELSS) has confirmed it has received copies of summary dismissal letters affecting over 1,000 Sierra Leonean employees of Koidu Limited, a major mining company operating in the country.
In a press release issued today, the Ministry acknowledged the mass layoffs and sought to reassure the public, affected workers, and stakeholders that the Government of Sierra Leone is committed to protecting the rights of its citizens under existing labour laws and international standards.
“We wish to assure all affected parties and other stakeholders that the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) will use all appropriate channels to ensure that the labour and employment rights of its citizens are fully protected,” the release stated.
The Ministry called for calm as it works to address the matter, adding that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates to both the public and affected individuals.
The government has yet to announce whether it will intervene directly in the dismissal or mediate between the parties, but its commitment to following international best practices suggests efforts may be underway to review the legality and process behind the layoffs.
This development marks one of the largest recent mass terminations in the country’s private sector and comes at a time when economic pressures and concerns about job security are high. Koidu Limited has not yet issued a public statement regarding the dismissals.
The Ministry concluded its release by urging all parties to remain calm as the situation unfolds.
