By Abubakarr Harding
The Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), on the 14th July, 2022, jointly held an information-sharing session of Labour Law Review at China House in Freetown.
Alpha Osman Timbo, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, the Permanent Secretary of MLSS- Ms. Fatmata Mustapha, Chargé d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy- Li Xiaoyong, Economic and Commercial Counsellor- Du Zijun, representatives from Labour Congress and Employer’s Federation, officials from the Sierra Leone Government and representatives from Chinese enterprises attended the event.
Li Xiaoyong expressed his gratitude to H.E. President Maada Bio and the Sierra Leonean Government for supporting the Chinese business in Sierra Leone. He said that over the past 51 years, China and Sierra Leone have been cooperating well in the fields of trade and investment, agriculture, mining, fishery, education among others. As the biggest investor in Sierra Leone, the Chinese enterprises have not only added revenue for the Sierra Leonean Government but also brought a lot of jobs for the local people. China will continue to work with Sierra Leone to build a stronger China-Africa community of shared future under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Hon. Minister Timbo said that H.E. President Maada Bio and the Sierra Leonean Government attach great importance to the protection of the interests of the Chinese investors and the legitimate rights of the employees. He appreciated the efforts the Chinese enterprises made in complying with labour laws and regulations. He said that by this information sharing of labour laws, the MLSS hopes that both the employers and the employees would understand more about the laws and regulations and the MLSS would continue to work with the Chinese businesses to ensure that a win-win result would be achieved.
Du Zijun said that the Chinese enterprises are operating well in the infrastructure, mining, fishery and forestry sectors and have promoted the development of the local economy. He stressed that the purpose of the Information Sharing of Labour Law Review was to provide a platform of dialogue between the Chinese enterprises and the Sierra Leonean Government. He urged and believed that the Chinese businesses would understand more about the local regulations and create a more harmonious environment for their employees.
The officials of the MLSS briefed and interacted with the participants on the labour law review process and some of the highlights of the new terms.
