By: Mamajah Jalloh
The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has convened a tripartite engagement with representatives of the Employers’ Federation and the Sierra Leone Labour Congress to review the Second Schedule of the Employment Regulations 2023, following concerns raised by stakeholders over challenges in its implementation.
The engagement brought together representatives of government, employers and workers to examine the provisions of the Second Schedule, address implementation difficulties and ensure that the regulations reflect the realities of Sierra Leone’s labour market.
In his opening remarks, the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Umaru Napoleon Koroma, underscored the importance of the review, noting that concerns about the implementation of the Second Schedule predated his appointment and had continued to be raised by various stakeholders.
He emphasised that, as a tripartite institution, the Ministry could not independently determine the way forward without the involvement and agreement of employers and workers. He therefore called on all parties to engage openly and work towards a mutually acceptable position that all stakeholders would collectively own and defend.
The Minister assured participants of his commitment to supporting the outcome of the deliberations, explaining that once an agreement was reached in good faith, the Ministry, Employers’ Federation and Labour Congress would jointly communicate their position to the public.
Speaking on behalf of workers, Max Conteh, representative of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, acknowledged the importance of reviewing the Second Schedule but cautioned against any changes that could undermine existing workers’ benefits and protections.
He said the Labour Congress was not opposed to the review, particularly given that the Congress and some of its affiliated organizations also operate as employers. However, he stressed that any proposed changes must be balanced and should not weaken the provisions to the extent that they defeat the purpose for which they were introduced.
Representing the employers, Tamba Allieu Kokobaye, Vice Chairman of the Employers’ Federation, welcomed the review, acknowledging that some provisions of the Second Schedule had not been adequately assessed during the formulation of the regulations.
He explained that the existing requirements had created difficulties for several employers who, despite their willingness to comply, were struggling to meet the stipulated conditions. He expressed optimism that the engagement would provide an opportunity to address these challenges and develop practical and workable provisions.
Providing further context, Bocakrie Sinneh, Commissioner of the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, disclosed that the Ministry had received feedback from various sectors, including mining, banking and other industries, regarding difficulties in implementing the Second Schedule.
He explained that the review fell within the Ministry’s legal mandate, as the regulations provide for the introduction of new rates where necessary. He called on the tripartite partners to carefully examine the existing provisions and recommend appropriate adjustments to make implementation more practical and effective.
The engagement forms part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to strengthen tripartite dialogue, promote harmonious industrial relations and ensure that labour regulations remain responsive to the interests and concerns of both workers and employers.