By: Saidu Jalloh
The Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has engaged workers of Sierra Tropical Limited to resolve an ongoing industrial dispute and address concerns over working conditions.
The meeting brought together aggrieved employees and company management as part of government efforts to promote fair labour practices while sustaining investment in Sierra Leone.
Minister Swaray said the intervention followed reports of unresolved workplace grievances, noting that the engagement was directed by Julius Maada Bio to ensure that workers’ rights are protected alongside efforts to attract investors.
He emphasized the importance of dialogue in preventing industrial unrest and encouraged workers to raise their concerns openly.
During the meeting, workers highlighted several issues, including compulsory Saturday work, an alleged lack of consent in labour agreements, and fears of victimization when raising grievances. They also reported difficulties in forming a labour union within the company.
Concerns over workplace safety were also raised, with employees alleging frequent accidents linked to unsafe transportation practices, including the use of overloaded trucks and tractors. Additional issues included dust pollution, lack of road safety measures, and poor infrastructure around the company’s operations.
Workers further complained about irregular salary payments, alleged wrongful deductions, and poor communication between management and staff.
In response, officials from the Ministry clarified that workers have the constitutional right to form unions in line with national labour laws and assured that regulations would be enforced.
Minister Swaray also stated that the government is strengthening monitoring systems to ensure that qualified Sierra Leoneans are prioritized for employment over foreign workers, where applicable.
Responding to the concerns, Sierra Tropical Limited’s Managing Director, Kwame Waife, acknowledged the issues and said management would review them after receiving a report from the Ministry.
He noted that while challenges exist, the company remains committed to improving working conditions and maintaining constructive engagement with employees.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from both parties to continue dialogue aimed at resolving the dispute and improving industrial relations.