Freetown, 16th January 2024—The National Social Protection Bill 2024 has officially advanced to the legislative stage, with its first and second readings in Parliament completed today. This development represents a pivotal step towards establishing a comprehensive social protection framework aimed at improving the welfare of all Sierra Leoneans.

The bill’s progression follows extensive regional consultations spearheaded by the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Labour Congress and the Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation. Funded by the World Bank, these consultations engaged a diverse array of stakeholders to ensure the proposed legislation is both inclusive and robust.

A key feature of the bill is the establishment of a Social Protection Authority, tasked with managing the Social Protection Bread Basket—a fund designed to support various social protection initiatives. This initiative seeks to foster coordination between public and private sector efforts, reinforcing Sierra Leone’s commitment to social welfare.

Today’s parliamentary readings were led by the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, with the support of the Ministry’s social partners and key social protection agencies, including the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) and the National Social Safety Net (NSSN). The minister underscored the collaborative efforts behind the bill, which now proceeds to the committee stage for further deliberation and eventual enactment by the House of Parliament.

Credit

Information Unit

Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security