By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has underscored Government’s commitment to empowering workers and expanding decent employment opportunities during the 2026 International Workers’ Day celebration held at the Miatta Conference Hall in Freetown on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who was honoured with a distinguished award for initiating the Labour National Dialogue now in its second year, described the recognition as a reflection of Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen labour relations and promote inclusive national development.
Delivering his keynote address on the theme: “Building Workers’ Power for Sierra Leone’s Transformative Agenda”, the Vice President said the commemoration aligns with Government’s declaration of 2026 as a “Year of Action,” focused on delivering tangible improvements in livelihoods, food security, job creation and economic stability.
He noted that workers remain central to the country’s development, emphasizing that national transformation can only be achieved when the workforce is organized, skilled, protected and empowered.
“Workers are not mere beneficiaries of development; they are its architects and engine,” he stated.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh highlighted that the success of Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030) and key national initiatives depends on the strength and commitment of workers across all sectors.
He outlined several policy priorities aimed at strengthening workers’ power, including increased investment in human capital development and youth employment, expansion of technical and vocational education and support for entrepreneurship and lifelong learning.
The Vice President also pointed to recent reforms to improve workers’ welfare, including the increase in the national minimum wage to NLe 1,200 effective April 2026 and efforts to extend social protection to informal sector workers.
On gender inclusion, he emphasized Government’s commitment to promoting women’s economic empowerment through equal pay, improved access to finance and support for women-led businesses.
He further stressed the importance of strengthening social dialogue among Government, employers and workers, noting that platforms such as the National Labour Conference play a critical role in shaping inclusive labour policies and maintaining industrial harmony.
Addressing the impact of digital transformation on the labour market, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said emerging technologies present new opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship but require deliberate policies to ensure fair wages, social protection and safe working conditions.
He called on workers’ unions to remain united and proactive, urged employers to prioritize workforce development, and appealed to development partners to continue supporting labour reforms and skills development initiatives.
Reaffirming Government’s commitment to inclusive labour policies and shared prosperity, the Vice President said efforts would continue to translate policy into tangible improvements in working conditions, incomes and job opportunities for Sierra Leoneans.
He paid tribute to workers across sectors, including agriculture, mining, markets, offices, construction and the digital economy, describing their contributions as vital to national growth.
Meanwhile, ahead of the May Day celebrations, Sierra Leone convened the 2026 National Labour Conference and Social Dialogue, bringing together Government officials, labour unions, employers and international partners to deliberate on labour reforms and the future of work.
Chairing the conference, Deputy Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Lansana Dumbuya, described the gathering as a milestone in strengthening labour governance. He highlighted key reforms, including the enactment of the Employment Act 2023, the Work Permit Act 2023 and the Overseas Employment and Migration Act, aimed at protecting workers’ rights and regulating employment practices.
He also noted improvements in wages and pensions, while acknowledging ongoing challenges such as youth unemployment, skills gaps and labour compliance issues.
Delivering the keynote at the conference, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh described the event as a key platform for addressing the challenges and opportunities of decent work in the digital era.
The conference concluded with stakeholder engagements focused on strengthening labour relations, addressing skills shortages and expanding employment opportunities, as Sierra Leone continues its push toward a more inclusive and resilient labour market.
