By Amin Kef-Ranger
In a landmark step toward strengthening Sierra Leone’s labour market, the Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, on Wednesday 30th April, 2025 officially launched the country’s inaugural National Labour Conference at the Miatta Conference Center in Freetown. The event brought together key stakeholders from Government, the private sector and workers’ organizations to deliberate on the future of work and job creation in Sierra Leone.
While delivering his keynote address at the inauguration of the two-day National Labour Conference, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh commended the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security for organizing the event, which was initially proposed during last year’s May Day celebrations.
He noted that the forum creates a vital platform for tripartite dialogue among Government, employers and workers in line with International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 144, which advocates for inclusive consultation on labour standards and social justice.
“This platform aligns with our broader commitment to fostering structured discussions on the future of work,” the Vice President said. “It reflects our dedication to fairness, inclusion and preparing our workforce for the evolving demands of the labour market.”
He reaffirmed the Government’s focus on its Big Five Game Changers, a development strategy designed to stimulate job growth, improve skills training and enhance economic resilience. A key pillar of that strategy includes the expansion of vocational training centres to equip youth with market-relevant skills.
Highlighting President Julius Maada Bio’s achievements since 2018, the Vice President cited the country’s advances in human capital development, including the fact that 9 out of 10 children are now enrolled in school, over 11,000 teachers have been employed and significant progress has been made in STEM education for girls. He also noted that 22% of the national budget is allocated to education; a testament to the Government’s long-term vision for workforce development.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh also spotlighted the Feed Salone Project, a flagship agricultural initiative aimed at reducing Sierra Leone’s dependence on food imports, which made up 23% of total imports between 2016 and 2022. He welcomed recent data from the Central Bank indicating a drop in food inflation from 23% to 21%, describing it as an early sign of success.
“Agriculture holds immense potential for job creation,” the Vice President emphasized. “By stimulating private sector investment in farming, processing and commercialization, we are laying the groundwork for a sustainable and inclusive employment pipeline.”
In another major announcement, the Vice President revealed that tourism has now been reclassified as a productive sector, citing its untapped potential to generate employment and foreign revenue. He shared that the Ministry of Tourism has already developed a comprehensive action plan to capitalize on that opportunity.
Following the Vice President’s address, the conference continued with six panel sessions covering a broad range of critical topics, including:
- National Strategies for Job Creation
- The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Employment
- Ensuring Decent Work, Fair Wages and Safe Working Conditions
The National Labour Conference is being widely viewed as a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone’s labour policy development, aimed at institutionalizing labour reforms and promoting inclusive economic growth. Stakeholders from across the country expressed optimism that the initiative will lead to concrete policies that improve job opportunities and working conditions for all Sierra Leoneans.
