The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, along with the Sierra Leone Labour Congress and the Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation, has joined forces with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to review Sierra Leone’s National Labour Migration Policy.
This initiative follows a recent agreement between the Ministry and IOM, targeting irregular migration issues such as human trafficking, migrant worker exploitation, and unregulated recruitment practices.
In 2021, Sierra Leone lifted a two-year ban on labour migration, initially imposed due to concerns over worker exploitation and unregulated recruitment. The lifting of this ban led to significant reforms, including the enactment of the Overseas Employment and Migrant Workers’ Act 2023 and the registration and licensing of Private Recruitment Agencies. These reforms enable the recruitment and deployment of Sierra Leonean workers to international companies and industries.
The original National Labour Migration Policy, created in 2017, also required updating.
At the review process’s opening ceremony last week in Freetown, Deputy Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Lansana Mohamed Dumbuya, emphasized the need for the policy’s revision, noting that it is currently “not up to date.” The updated policy aims to enhance labour migration governance, protect migrants’ rights, and harness the contributions of both emigrants and immigrants for Sierra Leone’s national development.
The Minister highlighted that through the Ministry of Labour, the government has signed MOUs and bilateral labour agreements with several countries to ensure safe, orderly, regular, and dignified migration. These countries include:
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- State of Qatar
- State of Kuwait
“Additionally, a draft MOU with the Sultanate of Oman is in the final stages, and plans are underway to engage authorities in Turkey and Lebanon for similar agreements,” he added.
Stakeholders in Labour Migration Governance, who participated in the review process, played a crucial role in identifying areas needing revision in the current policy. Their insights are essential for strengthening protections for migrant workers, regulating recruitment agencies, and monitoring and enforcing the policy.
This collaborative effort, supported by the government’s commitment to improving labour migration management in Sierra Leone, instills confidence in all stakeholders.
