By Forum staff writer
The Minister of Employment Labour and Social Security, Hon Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has outlined key reforms and achievements within his ministry, pointing to improved contract arrangements, job creation and expanded national presence as major milestones under his leadership.
Speaking on AYV Wake Up Sierra Leone, the minister disclosed that upon assuming office, he inherited what he described as an unfavourable contract that heavily disadvantaged the government. According to him, the agreement initially allocated 70 percent of proceeds to the contractor and only 30 percent to the state.
“When I came to that ministry, I inherited a terrible contract of 70 percent to the contractor and 30 percent to the government,” he said. “I called for a review of that contract, a new contractor came in and it was made 50 percent to both parties.”
He explained that the renegotiated agreement has since delivered tangible benefits to the ministry and its affiliated institutions. These include the provision of vehicles and motorbikes to support operations at the Labour Department and the Immigration sector, as well as the establishment of offices across the country.
The minister also highlighted progress in job creation, noting that significant gains have been made across several sectors. He revealed that by the end of 2024, a total of 169202 jobs both casual and permanent had been created through interventions in agriculture, the National Commission for Social Action, Statistics Sierra Leone and the mining sector among others.
He described the achievement as part of broader efforts to tackle unemployment and provide sustainable livelihoods for citizens, especially young people. The figures, he said, reflect ongoing collaboration between government institutions and development partners aimed at expanding economic opportunities.
Hon Swaray further emphasized the ministry’s commitment to decentralization, stating that there has been a deliberate push to strengthen its presence beyond the capital. He noted that for many years, the ministry had limited operational structures in the provinces, which affected service delivery.
“For the longest time we have not had a presence in the provinces, with my transformation, we can now boast of very solid structures in Bo, Kenema, Makeni and Port Loko, soon heading to Kono,” he said.
According to the minister, the expansion of offices is expected to bring services closer to the people, improve monitoring of labour practices and enhance engagement with employers and workers at the local level.
On labour regulations, Hon Swaray stressed the importance of compliance with the Employment Act, warning that employers who fail to adhere to its provisions will face consequences. He pointed out that the law clearly outlines obligations that must be respected in all employment relationships.
“There are clear provisions in the Employment Act for non compliance of its provisions and policies,” he said. “There are clear obligations on the part of employers to ensure that they honour the basic minimum wage like any other contract they entered into.”
He called on employers across the country to respect workers’ rights, including the payment of the minimum wage, and urged employees to be aware of their legal protections.
The minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening the labour sector through reforms, enforcement of policies and continued investment in job creation initiatives.
