The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has informed the general Public, particularly institutions and businesses employing or proposing to employ foreign workers/expatriate staff, that THE WORK PERMIT (FEES) REGULATIONS 2024, THE WORK PERMIT ACT 2023 (ACT NO. 11 OF 2023, STATUTORY INSTRUMENT NO.1 OF 2024), which was laid in the Sierra Leone Parliament on 13th February, 2024, has matured into Law
Consequently, all companies, businesses, industries, cooperation and informal institutions with foreign workers/expatriate staff are advised to comply with the said Regulations with respect to the payment of Work Permit Fees for their foreign workers/expatriate staff, going forward.
According to the Notice all applications for Work Permit and renewal of same should be sent to the office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security
It could be recalled that the Ministry sent out a public notification of the increment in 2023, which will subsequently affect foreign workers/expatriate staff and institutions employing foreign workers/expatriate staff in Sierra Leone. This, the Minister had earlier said, was aimed at securing more jobs for Sierra Leoneans, to complement President Bio’s agenda for the creation of 500,000 jobs for citizens by 2028.
Speaking on behalf of the employers, Mr Kishore Shankerdas, Managing Director of G. Shankerdas & Sons, earlier pleaded for the stipulated cost of the work permit to be further reviewed and reduced. At this time of global instability, Mr Shankerdas said that it would be good if the increment was done gradually, as there already was an increase in everything else locally and internationally.
However, In his response, Mr Swaray said: “We understand your concerns and we appreciate you for putting them forward, though it is late already.” He explained that the decision to increase the cost of a work permit was not made in a day, adding that there were thorough consultations with the Ministry’s Tripartite Partners; The Sierra Leone Labour Congress and the Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation. He encouraged the employers to see the bigger picture and understand that the decision will benefit them in the long term. “Right now, it will be difficult, but it will reduce your cost and boost your businesses in the long term. The Government is very concerned about the sustainability and profitability of your businesses, which contributes hugely to addressing unemployment in the country. We want to encourage localization,” he explained further. He assured them that the increment was not a way to put foreign workers/expatriate staff out of their jobs, but to establish timelines for the transfer of skills and localization.