Labour Ministry Engages Tripartite Partners to Review Second Schedule of Employment Regulations 2023

The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has convened a tripartite engagement with representatives of the Employers’ Federation and the Sierra Leone Labour Congress to review the Second Schedule of the Employment Regulations 2023, following concerns raised by various stakeholders over its implementation.

The engagement brought together representatives of government, employers and workers to deliberate on the provisions of the Second Schedule, with particular attention to addressing implementation challenges and ensuring that the regulations reflect the realities of the country’s labour market.

In his opening remarks, the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security Hon. Umaru Napoleon Koroma, emphasised the importance of the review, noting that concerns surrounding the implementation of the Second Schedule had existed before his appointment and had continued to be raised by stakeholders.

He stressed that, as a tripartite institution, the Ministry could not independently make decisions on the matter without the involvement and agreement of both employers and workers. He therefore called on all parties to engage openly and arrive at a mutually agreed position that would be collectively owned and defended.

The Minister assured participants of his willingness to stand by the outcome of the deliberations, explaining that once an agreement was reached in good faith, the Ministry, Employers’ Federation and Labour Congress would jointly communicate their position to the public.

Speaking on behalf of the workers, the representative of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress Max Conteh acknowledged the importance of reviewing the Second Schedule but cautioned against any changes that would undermine the benefits and protections workers currently enjoy.

He noted that the Labour Congress was not opposed to a review, particularly as the Congress and its affiliated organisations also operate as employers. However, he maintained that the review must be balanced and should not result in reducing the provisions to a level that would defeat the purpose for which they were introduced.

On the employers’ side, the representative of the Employers’ Federation Tamba Allieu Kokobaye Vice Chairman of the employers Federation welcomed the opportunity to revisit the Second Schedule, acknowledging that some of its provisions had not been critically assessed during the formulation of the regulations.

He explained that the existing requirements had created difficulties for several employers who, despite their willingness to comply, were finding it challenging to meet the conditions stipulated in the schedule. He expressed optimism that the engagement would provide an opportunity to address these concerns and arrive at practical and workable provisions.

Providing further context,Bocakrie Sinneh, Commisioner of the Ministry of Employment Labour and Social Security highlighted that it had received feedback from various sectors, including mining, banking and other industries, regarding the challenges associated with implementing the Second Schedule.

He explained that the review was within its legal mandate, as the regulations provide for the introduction of new rates where necessary. He therefore called on the tripartite partners to carefully examine the existing provisions and recommend adjustments that would make implementation more practical and effective.

The engagement forms part of the Ministry’s broader commitment to strengthening tripartite dialogue, promoting harmonious industrial relations and ensuring that labour regulations remain responsive to the interests of workers and employers alike.