On Thursday, June 20th, 2024, Minister of Labor, Employment, and Social Security Mohamed Rahman Swarray and his team conducted a productive visit to the Leone Rock mining site. The primary objective of their visit was to gather firsthand information about the company’s operations, welfare initiatives, and general working conditions. Minister Swarray emphasized the importance of ensuring decent working conditions for all employees, particularly in light of recent updates to labor laws.
During his interactions with the workforce, Minister Swarray reiterated his unwavering support and commitment to engaging with staff across various operational sites. He expressed a keen interest in understanding their welfare concerns and the challenges they face in their respective roles. The Minister assured the workers that their discussions would remain confidential, and they could openly express their views on working conditions without fear of reprisal.
Sierra Leonean workers from different subsidiaries of Kingho expressed gratitude to the Minister for his visit. Representatives highlighted various issues, including alleged unjust terminations, lack of respect for national workers, selective promotion practices, and preferential treatment of foreign workers. These concerns centered on themes of discrimination, intimidation, and harassment within the workplace.
In response, Minister Swarray condemned any form of violence, harassment, disrespect, discrimination, or intimidation as outlined in the Employment Act of 2023. He underscored the existence of penalties and sanctions for such offenses and pledged to enforce strict consequences for any assault on Sierra Leonean workers by foreign staff. The Minister reaffirmed that jobs designated for Sierra Leonean workers would not be allocated to foreign employees.
Following these discussions, the General Manager and his team thanked Minister Swarray and his delegation for their timely visit. They assured the Minister of their company’s commitment to addressing the highlighted issues raised by the workforce. The General Manager stressed the importance of valuing all recruited employees as essential ambassadors of the company, emphasizing the need for their serious consideration.
In conclusion, Minister Swarray announced that the Ministry of Employment, Labor, and Social Security would organize a workshop for management aimed at enhancing their understanding of key provisions within labor laws. This initiative is intended to foster better compliance and support within the company’s operations.
