The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, has partnered with the ECOWAS Commission and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to strengthen the protection of domestic workers by launching a two-day capacity-building workshop aimed at improving labour inspection and enforcing decent work standards across the country.
The workshop, which commenced on Tuesday, 15 July 2026, brought together labour inspectors, workers’ organizations and other tripartite partners to reinforce collaboration in implementing ILO Convention No. 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers. The initiative is expected to improve labour inspections, enhance protection for domestic workers, particularly migrant domestic workers and strengthen compliance with national and international labour standards.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of domestic workers, describing them as an indispensable yet frequently neglected segment of the workforce.
He noted that domestic workers play a vital role in supporting families and contributing to the country’s economy but are often denied social protection, decent working conditions and legal recognition because many operate within the informal sector.
Mohamed Rahman Swaray recalled that since Sierra Leone ratified ILO Convention No. 189 in 2021, the Government has introduced significant reforms through the Migrant Workers Act. He said those reforms include the regulation of private recruitment agencies, promotion of ethical recruitment practices, verification of overseas employment opportunities and stronger safeguards for Sierra Leoneans seeking work abroad.
The Minister further disclosed that the Ministry is considering reviewing the existing legislation to address implementation gaps identified during the past three years and to strengthen legal protection for migrant domestic workers.
Representing the ECOWAS Directorate of Free Movement of Persons and Migration, Obinna Ajugwo commended the Government of Sierra Leone and its partners for prioritizing the protection of domestic workers.
He stressed that the principle of free movement within the ECOWAS region must be accompanied by adequate protection for migrant workers, especially those employed in vulnerable sectors such as domestic work. According to him, ensuring dignity, decent working conditions and respect for labour rights is both a legal responsibility and a moral obligation.
Obinna Ajugwo added that the workshop aligns with ECOWAS’ broader agenda of promoting sound labour migration governance, strengthening social dialogue and advancing decent work throughout West Africa.
Representing the International Labour Organization Country Office, Senior Specialist for Workers’ Activities, Inviolata Chinyangarara, observed that domestic workers remain among the most vulnerable categories of workers because of the informal nature of their employment, the absence of written contracts, excessive working hours and limited access to labour rights and social protection.
She said those persistent challenges underscore the urgent need for stronger enforcement mechanisms and closer collaboration between labour inspectors and trade unions to ensure that domestic workers fully benefit from decent work standards.
Inviolata Chinyangarara also highlighted the additional difficulties faced by migrant domestic workers, including language barriers, confiscation of travel documents and limited awareness of their legal rights, making effective labour inspection and social dialogue increasingly important.
The Secretary-General of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, Marx Conteh, called for stronger cooperation between labour inspectors and workers’ organisations to ensure the effective implementation of the rights guaranteed under ILO Convention No. 189.
He maintained that while Sierra Leone has taken the important step of ratifying the Convention, meaningful progress depends on effective enforcement, noting that labour inspectors remain the frontline defenders of workers’ rights.
Marx Conteh further emphasized that the unique nature of domestic work requires innovative and collaborative inspection approaches capable of protecting workers while upholding fairness and due process.
At the end of the two-day workshop, participants are expected to develop practical inspection tools, including standard inspection checklists and referral mechanisms, while strengthening coordination among labour inspectors, trade unions and other key stakeholders to enhance the implementation of ILO Convention No. 189 and promote decent work for domestic workers throughout Sierra Leone.
