By: Audrey Raymonda John
A dispute involving the Gambian High Commission in Sierra Leone has drawn attention to the application of Sierra Leone’s labour laws to diplomatic missions and the employment rights of locally recruited staff.
Christiana Coker, a former employee who served at the Gambian High Commission for more than 26 years, says she has not received her end-of-service benefits following her resignation. She argues that, under Sierra Leone’s labour laws, she is entitled to the payment of those benefits.
According to Madam Coker, she voluntarily resigned from her position after deciding to relocate to the United States. She submitted a formal letter of voluntary retirement and expected to receive her end-of-service benefits and other entitlements upon leaving the mission.
However, she alleges that although the High Commission acknowledged her resignation and years of service, it declined to recognize any obligation to pay end-of-service benefits.
The matter was subsequently brought to the attention of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. According to documents referenced by Madam Coker, the Ministry wrote to the Gambian High Commission in December 2025, requesting that it calculate and settle her outstanding entitlements, including accrued leave allowances and end-of-service benefits, within seven days.
Madam Coker says that despite the Ministry’s intervention, she has yet to receive the payments.
The Gambian High Commission has reportedly maintained that it does not pay end-of-service benefits to departing employees, stating that such payments are not part of its employment policy. The mission also argues that contributions made to the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) constitute the applicable social security benefits for employees.
Commenting on the matter, Sierra Leone’s Commissioner of Labour acknowledged that diplomatic missions enjoy certain privileges and immunities under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. However, he emphasized that employers operating within Sierra Leone are expected to comply with the country’s labour laws.
“Our labour laws clearly provide for employees’ rights and benefits upon the termination of employment,” the Commissioner said, adding that diplomatic privileges do not automatically exempt employers from respecting applicable labour standards.
Madam Coker also claimed that the High Commission paid end-of-service benefits to staff members whose employment was terminated in 2015. She questioned why similar treatment has not been extended to her after more than two decades of service.
Determined to pursue the matter, she said she intends to seek legal redress through Sierra Leone’s Industrial Court if the dispute is not resolved.
“The law must prevail,” she said. “After more than 26 years of dedicated service, I believe my rights under Sierra Leone’s labour laws should be respected.”
Efforts to obtain a response from the Gambian High Commission were unsuccessful. According to the reporter, officials at the mission declined to comment on the matter.
The case has reignited discussions about the legal obligations of diplomatic missions toward locally employed staff and the extent to which national labour laws apply within foreign embassies operating in Sierra Leone. As the dispute progresses, it is expected to test the balance between diplomatic privileges and the protection of workers’ rights under Sierra Leonean law.