Sierra Leone’s Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has taken a central role in strengthening labour practices within the mining sector through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Leone Rock, a major mining company operating in the country.
This MoU signing was the climax of a one-day training session organized by the Ministry for Leone Rock’s management and sub-contractors, focusing on keeping them abreast with current labour regulations.
The MoU directly addresses ongoing labour concerns identified during the Minister’s continuous workplace inspections.
Minister Swaray emphasized the importance of this agreement, which commits the mining company’s management and sub-contractors to:
- Investigate and take action against allegations of discrimination, assault, and harassment.
- Establish a salary survey comparing wages across mining companies, tackling pay disparities.
- Ensure Leone Rock and its sub-contractors comply with all statutory labour requirements, including social security contributions to NASSIT.
- Guarantee adherence to overtime pay agreements outlined in the relevant Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- Secure risk allowance payments for qualified workers, subject to Ministry risk assessments.
- Uphold strong Occupational Safety and Health standards for workers.
- Submit all contracts, Terms of Reference, and Human Resources manuals for Ministry vetting and approval.
This MoU signing signifies a significant step forward for workers’ protection and fair labour practices within Sierra Leone, especially in the mining sector.
The Ministry’s commitment to ongoing inspections and collaboration with companies like Leone Rock demonstrates its dedication and strives towards upholding industrial peace and harmony and ensuring the dignity of all workers.
Credit – Information Unit
Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security*
Copyright –Published in print in Expo Times Newspaper on Friday, July 5th, 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)