By: Aminata Sesay
Sierra Leone is seeking stronger international partnerships to create safer and more credible employment opportunities for its citizens abroad as discussions on labour mobility continue in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Umaru Napoleon Koroma Esq., is representing Sierra Leone at the Second Doha Dialogue on Labour Mobility, which brings together African and Gulf countries to discuss ways of improving the movement and protection of workers across borders.
Speaking at a ministerial roundtable on “Governing Labour Mobility for Shared Prosperity,” Minister Koroma stressed the need to protect workers’ rights regardless of where they are employed.
He called for stronger cooperation in fair recruitment, skills development, social security, worker protection and the effective implementation of bilateral labour agreements.
Minister Koroma said Sierra Leone’s participation in the dialogue provides an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with destination countries and create legitimate pathways for Sierra Leoneans seeking employment abroad.
The discussions are also focusing on decent work, access to justice, health coverage, social protection and the portability of social security benefits for migrant workers.
The dialogue, hosted and chaired by Tanzania, brings together ministers and senior officials from Africa and the GCC+ region to develop practical approaches to labour mobility and promote migration for employment that is safe, fair and beneficial to workers and their families.
As the meeting moves towards the adoption of a declaration on future cooperation, Sierra Leone is advocating for labour mobility arrangements that can provide better employment opportunities while strengthening safeguards for its citizens working abroad.
The engagement is expected to support Sierra Leone’s efforts to connect its workforce with international labour markets while ensuring that overseas employment comes with dignity, protection and fair treatment.