The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), has launched a three-day capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening Sierra Leone’s labour governance through the proposed ratification of six priority ILO conventions and the United Nations Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
The workshop, which runs from July 6 to 8 in Freetown, has brought together Government officials, employers’ and workers’ organizations, development partners and labour experts to build consensus on the proposed international labour instruments and enhance the country’s labour reform process.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, described the workshop as a major milestone in Sierra Leone’s ongoing labour reform agenda. He said the initiative demonstrates the Government’s commitment to aligning national labour laws and policies with international labour standards while supporting the implementation of the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030) and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 8, which promotes decent work and sustainable economic growth.
The Minister noted that since becoming a member of the ILO in 1961, Sierra Leone has ratified 45 ILO conventions, including all ten fundamental conventions, two governance conventions and 33 technical conventions. He explained that 32 of those conventions remain in force, while four have been denounced and nine have been abrogated.
According to the Minister, the six conventions under consideration address key labour issues, including occupational safety and health, maternity protection, workplace violence and harassment, chemical safety, biological hazards and the protection of migrant workers. He said ratifying those instruments will strengthen the country’s labour legislation, improve workplace conditions, increase productivity and reinforce Sierra Leone’s commitment to promoting decent work.
Mohamed Rahman Swaray stressed, however, that ratification alone would not be sufficient to achieve meaningful reforms. He emphasized the importance of promptly domesticating the conventions into national law, ensuring effective implementation, strengthening monitoring mechanisms and maintaining continuous social dialogue among all stakeholders to guarantee practical impact.
He also announced that the Ministry, in collaboration with the ILO, will convene the Decent Work Country Programme Committee meeting from July 9 to 11, 2026. The meeting will review progress made under the programme, assess existing challenges, strengthen tripartite cooperation and agree on priority actions to further advance decent work across the country.
Representing the ILO Country Director, Chinyere Emeka-Anuna commended the Government of Sierra Leone for demonstrating strong political commitment to promoting international labour standards and social justice.
She explained that the workshop is focusing on six priority ILO conventions: Convention No. 170 on Chemicals, Convention No. 174 on the Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents, Convention No. 184 on Safety and Health in Agriculture, Convention No. 183 on Maternity Protection, Convention No. 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work and Convention No. 192 on Biological Hazards in the Working Environment. Participants are also examining the United Nations Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
Emeka-Anuna described Conventions 183 and 190 as particularly significant, noting that their ratification would strengthen gender equality, improve maternity protection, safeguard workers against discrimination and violence and promote safer and more inclusive workplaces.
Speaking on behalf of the Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation (SLEF), Project Officer, Yvette Kargbo, said the proposed conventions have the potential to promote safer working environments, improve productivity and strengthen business resilience. She, however, urged that implementation should take into consideration the realities facing employers, particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, through practical policies, increased awareness and sustained capacity-building programmes.
Also addressing participants, the Secretary-General of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, Marx Conteh, welcomed the initiative and observed that many of the proposed standards have already been incorporated into Sierra Leone’s labour legislation. He called on the Government to expedite the passage of the remaining labour bills before Parliament in order to complete the country’s ongoing labour law reform programme.
The workshop is expected to strengthen collaboration among Government, employers, workers and development partners while laying the foundation for the successful ratification and implementation of key international labour conventions that will enhance workers’ rights, improve workplace safety and support sustainable economic development in Sierra Leone.
