Vice President Visits the Ministry of Employment and Labour

By: Zacharia Jalloh

The Honourable Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, made an unannounced visit to the Ministry of Employment, Labour, and Social Security as part of the Presidency and Ministerial engagements aimed at evaluating the activities of various Ministries. This event occurred on January 10th, 2025.

The Presidency and Ministerial Engagements is an initiative by the Presidency to routinely inspect Ministries to evaluate their work, plans, and challenges. This approach provides the Presidency with firsthand information on how to support these Ministries in fulfilling their mandates.

The Honourable Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, engaged with the Minister of Employment, Labour, and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, and senior staff of the Ministry on various labour and employment policies. The Vice President received a comprehensive briefing on the Ministry’s work over the year, including updates on job creation, agreements signed by private sector companies to promote safe migration, apprenticeship schemes, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the development of the National Volunteering Policy, which will be presented to Cabinet this year.

Minister Mohamed Rahman Swaray informed the Vice President about MELSS’s plans for 2025, which include submitting the Workers Compensation, Social Protection, and Safety Bill to Parliament for enactment. “These bills aim to enhance the welfare of workers by ensuring decent pay, compensation, and a conducive working environment.”

“The Ministry plans to organize a grand May Day celebration promoting social dialogue, job creation, and skills development. An award ceremony will be held to recognize the best compliance institutions in various fields such as occupational safety and health, job creation, investment, NASSIT contributions, workers’ compensation, minimum wage, and better terms and conditions of service,” Minister Swaray stated.

In 2025, the Minister assured the Vice President that the Ministry is working on a succession plan, localization, and leadership development to ensure Sierra Leoneans assume leadership and management roles in companies.

The Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, expressed his satisfaction with the Ministry’s work over the year. He praised the Minister’s vision in transforming the labour sector, particularly in consolidating peace and harmony in the workplace and utilizing technology to monitor the market through the Labour Market Information System (LMIS) and digitizing work permits.

The Vice President proceeded to assess the infrastructure challenges the Ministry faces, including touring the ongoing office construction site. He appreciated the Ministry’s resilience and assured them of his unwavering support to see the building completed and operational.