The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has held a high-level consultative meeting with leading overseas private employment agencies to assess the safety and welfare of Sierra Leonean migrant workers currently employed across the Middle East.
The meeting, held on Monday, March 30, 2026, formed part of the Ministry’s proactive efforts to closely monitor the wellbeing of Sierra Leoneans working abroad amid evolving regional developments and growing concerns over migrant safety.
Welcoming participants, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Joseph Teckman Kanu, described the engagement as an important platform for stakeholders to share updates, exchange operational data and address emerging concerns relating to the welfare of Sierra Leoneans employed overseas.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, emphasized that recruitment agencies remain critical gateways through which many Sierra Leoneans access overseas employment opportunities. He noted that recent developments in parts of the Middle East made it necessary for the Ministry to directly engage stakeholders in order to obtain firsthand updates on the safety and wellbeing of Sierra Leonean workers in the region.
Giving an update on behalf of SOS Traveling Agency, Yusuf Conteh informed the meeting that the organization has maintained consistent weekly contact with Sierra Leonean workers in Dubai to closely monitor their welfare. He assured the Ministry that all workers under the Agency’s supervision remain safe.
Representing HRGSL, Jeremiah Johnson disclosed that the Agency currently has approximately 200 workers in Saudi Arabia, 79 in Qatar, and 30 in Dubai. While confirming that all workers are safe, he noted that some remain apprehensive due to ongoing regional concerns, although many continue to actively perform their duties at their respective workplaces.
For Kemokai Recruitment Agency, Clifford P. Williams reported that the Agency has 15 workers stationed in Dubai, all of whom are safe. He added that the Agency maintains daily communication with its workers through a dedicated WhatsApp platform to ensure continuous monitoring and support.
Speaking on behalf of Explore SL Ltd, Sheku Kanneh stated that the company deployed 30 female workers to Dubai last year and assured the Ministry that all of them remain safe despite prevailing concerns in the region.
Rev. B. Kallon of First International Recruitment explained that the company is relatively new and has not yet deployed workers abroad. However, he disclosed that its Managing Director is currently in Dubai engaging potential partner companies in preparation for future worker deployment.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Malador Travels Agency commended the Ministry for organizing the engagement. He revealed that although the company had not previously deployed workers to the Middle East, it recently facilitated the travel of 15 Sierra Leoneans to Qatar, with an additional 20 workers scheduled to depart before the end of the month.
In his closing remarks, Minister Mohamed Rahman Swaray underscored the importance of sustained engagement and effective monitoring, urging recruitment agencies to maintain regular communication and periodic visits to Sierra Leonean workers abroad as part of efforts to safeguard their welfare.
He thanked all stakeholders for their cooperation and reaffirmed the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights, safety and wellbeing of Sierra Leonean migrant workers overseas.
