By: Saidu Jalloh
The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has brokered an agreement between the Sierra Leone Industrial Fishing Companies Association and the Sierra Leone Fishermen’s Union to implement a 25 percent salary increase for fishermen, following weeks of concerns over delays.
The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting convened by the Ministry on Tuesday at its conference room in Freetown, where both parties addressed grievances surrounding the stalled implementation of the pay rise.
Officials said the intervention became necessary after fishermen raised concerns about the failure of fishing companies to honour an earlier commitment on salary adjustments.
During the meeting, representatives from both sides acknowledged that the delay had created dissatisfaction among workers and risked disrupting operations in the sector.
The Ministry emphasized the need for employers to fulfil agreed labour obligations, warning that failure to do so could undermine trust and industrial harmony.
Following deliberations, both parties agreed to implement the 25 percent increment equivalent to an additional Le500 effective 1 May 2026, thereby resolving the dispute.
As part of the resolution, the Sierra Leone Fishermen’s Union committed to ensuring that its members return to work, a move expected to restore normal operations across the fishing industry.
The Registrar of Trade Unions and Assistant Director of Labour and Employment, Abdulai Conteh, who facilitated the talks, noted that the process was guided by transparency and dialogue to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome.
Ministry officials stated that, once formally signed, the agreement will be binding on both parties, with the government serving as a witness to ensure compliance.
They added that the Ministry will continue to monitor implementation and provide updates to the public on the formal signing process.
The resolution is widely seen as a positive step toward strengthening labour relations and rebuilding confidence among workers in Sierra Leone’s fishing sector.