By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has called on African leaders and labour stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in promoting fair and inclusive employment systems across the continent.
He made the call during the 52nd Governing Council Meeting and High Level Symposium of the African Regional Labour Administration Centre held at the Mamba Point Lagoonda Hotel in Freetown on March 12, 2026.
The gathering brought together ministers, labour administrators and development partners from several African countries to discuss issues affecting employment and labour administration across the region.
Speaking at the opening of the event, Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh welcomed delegates on behalf of the President of Sierra Leone, Dr Julius Maada Bio, and the people of the country. He noted that Sierra Leone was honoured to host such an important meeting that focuses on the future of work and labour policies in Africa.
According to him, gatherings such as the council meeting of the African Regional Labour Administration Centre provide an opportunity for African countries to share ideas and strengthen partnerships aimed at improving employment conditions and labour administration systems.
The meeting focused on the theme “Advancing Decent Work in the Platform Economy,” which highlights the growing role of digital platforms in shaping employment patterns across the world.
Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said that technological advancements and digital platforms are rapidly transforming the way people work, particularly in sectors driven by online services and digital innovation.
He explained that while digital platforms have created new opportunities for entrepreneurship, job creation and income generation, they also present new challenges for labour regulation and worker protection.
According to him, governments across Africa must take proactive steps to ensure that the expansion of the platform economy strengthens fairness and equity within labour markets.
He stressed that policies and regulatory frameworks must be developed to protect workers from exploitation while ensuring that innovation and digital growth continue to create economic opportunities for citizens.
The Vice President also highlighted the importance of cooperation between governments, labour institutions, employers and workers in building employment systems that are inclusive and sustainable.
He said that stronger collaboration among African countries is essential in addressing the emerging realities of modern work environments and ensuring that labour standards are upheld across the continent.
The 52nd Governing Council Meeting and High Level Symposium of the African Regional Labour Administration Centre is expected to provide a platform for dialogue among policymakers and labour experts as they explore ways to promote decent work and improve labour governance in Africa.
Participants are also expected to share experiences and strategies aimed at strengthening labour institutions while adapting to the changing nature of work driven by digital transformation.
