The Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, visited Koidu Holdings Limited in Kono to address concerns raised by local staff regarding their welfare.
The visit comes amidst allegations of mistreatment regarding salary, occupational safety and health, and overall welfare.
During the visit, the Sierra Leonean workers voiced numerous concerns, including the use of incorrect exchange rates by management to calculate salaries, discrimination between local and expatriate staff, inadequate medical facilities, non-payment of risk allowances, and misrepresentation by the union representing their sector. These grievances underscored growing discontent among the workforce, necessitating the Minister’s intervention.
Minister Swaray, addressing the workers who welcomed him warmly, emphasized his commitment to resolving their issues promptly.
He declared that only the Bank of Sierra Leone has the authority to set exchange rates, thus nullifying any arbitrary calculations by the company.
Regarding discrimination between local and expatriate staff, the Minister stated, “We have zero tolerance for discrimination and will address such matters very seriously,” highlighting the government’s stance on equitable treatment of all workers.
The Minister assured the staff that all issues falling under the Labour Laws would be addressed swiftly, with no reprisals against any worker for speaking out.
This assurance was met with relief and hope from the workers, who saw the Minister’s presence as a sign of the government’s serious commitment to their welfare.
Since his reassignment last year, Minister Swaray has been actively addressing workers’ welfare across the country. He has visited several companies to gather first-hand information about working conditions and employee grievances.
Following each visit, he engages with management to develop solutions to the challenges raised.
“The president has committed to creating 500,000 jobs in five years, but we must ensure that current jobs are decent and that workers are treated with fairness, respect, and dignity,” the Minister reiterated, reinforcing his dedication to improving labour conditions nationwide.
