Minister of Employment, Labour, and Social Security (MELSS) of Sierra Leone, Honourable Mohamed Rahman Swaray, recently engaged in discussions with Qatar’s Minister of Labour, Dr. Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri, aiming to facilitate job opportunities for skilled Sierra Leoneans in Qatar.
Hon. Mohamed Rahman Swaray, expressing gratitude for the opportunity during his visit, highlighted Qatar’s support in Sierra Leone’s development programs. This engagement forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen relations between both nations.
Recalling President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s State Visit to Qatar in June 2022, where several bilateral agreements were signed, including one related to Sierra Leonean Employment in Qatar, Swaray emphasized the country’s commitment to implementing this agreement. He underscored youth employment as a significant focus within President Bio’s development agenda and reiterated Sierra Leone’s interest in leveraging labor migration to address unemployment, recognized as a national security threat.
Swaray emphasized Sierra Leone’s eagerness to collaborate with relevant authorities in recruiting skilled individuals for diverse sectors in Qatar. He urged further discussions to identify and explore additional employment prospects benefiting both countries.
The Minister also urged his counterpart to address residency issues faced by Sierra Leoneans currently employed in Doha. He extended an invitation for the Qatari Minister to visit Sierra Leone, fostering firsthand experiences regarding potential employment and investment opportunities.
In response, Qatar’s Minister of Labour, His Excellency Dr. Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri, stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral ties, suggesting the establishment of an annual joint committee to implement the employment agreement. Dr. Al Marri highlighted Qatar’s employment reforms aimed at improving conditions for migrant workers and invited participation in the Doha Forum in March 2024 to discuss labor-related matters.
Accompanying Hon. Swaray were Sierra Leone’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Qatar, Her Excellency Haja Ishata Thomas, Minister Counsellor/HOC, Momodu Wurie, Deputy Commissioner for Labour and Employment, Chiblee Kamara, and other Embassy officials.
