FREETOWN (MAY 1, 2026) – In a powerful display of leadership at the 2026 National Labour Conference, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh signaled a decisive shift in Sierra Leone’s economic strategy, moving the nation from the era of blueprints to a relentless era of “action and proof.”

Addressing a packed hall of workers, union leaders, and private sector employers at the Miatta Conference Centre, the Vice President positioned the Sierra Leonean worker as the primary catalyst for the nation’s transformation. The event, themed “Building Worker’s Power for Sierra Leone’s Transformative Agenda,” served as a victory lap for recent policy achievements and a bold roadmap for the digital future.

Empowering the “Architects of Development”

In a stirring keynote speech, Dr. Jalloh rejected the traditional view of labor as a passive recipient of aid. “The real engine of Sierra Leone’s transformation is not foreign investment or government planning; it is the millions of workers showing up every single day to build this country,” Jalloh stated.

He further emphasized that under the current administration, workers have been elevated to their rightful place in the national hierarchy. “Workers are not beneficiaries; they are the architects of development.”

Tangible Victories: Minimum Wage and Social Protection

The Vice President highlighted a string of legislative wins that have directly improved the lives of citizens since 2018:

• Historic Wage Increases: The national minimum wage was recently raised to NLe 1,200, representing a staggering 66% increase from previous levels.
• Informal Sector Inclusion: In a landmark move, the government is extending social protections to market women, artisans, and fishermen—groups Jalloh described as the “citizens the formal economy has never fully seen.”
• Gender Equity: Dr. Jalloh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing equal pay for equal work and expanding financial access for women-led businesses.

Navigating the Digital Frontier

Beyond traditional labor, the Vice President showcased a forward-thinking approach to the digital economy. He noted that technology is no longer a distant prospect but a present reality creating new pathways for the youth.

“Opportunity without protection is ‘cheap exposure,'” Jalloh warned, insisting that as Sierra Leoneans enter global digital platforms, they must do so with fair wages and safety nets intact. He framed the government’s heavy investment in vocational training and digital skills as a “core economic strategy,” not merely a social program.

A Call for Unity

The Vice President concluded with a call for a “shared responsibility” between the state, unions, and employers. He urged employers to view a trained workforce as an investment rather than a cost, promising that the government would continue to “keep its word” to the people.

“Sierra Leoneans are not waiting any longer,” Jalloh said, closing his address. “2026 is the year we move from intention to execution, and from promise to proof.”

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 6th May 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)