Sierra Leone’s Parliament has enacted the country’s first Social Protection Bill, establishing a comprehensive legal framework for social protection under the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security. Passed unanimously today, after its third reading and an exhaustive debate on its provisions by the lawmakers, the legislation seeks to address gaps in social protection programmes and improve coordination across public and private sectors.

The journey to Bill’s enactment began in 2022 when the Ministry and its social partners first held regional consultations, and the Attorney-General’s Office produced a legal draft. However, the Cabinet, led by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, requested additional consultations to ensure more diverse perspectives were reflected in the legislation. These further consultations, completed in 2024 with funding from the World Bank, engaged stakeholders from all sectors, ensuring the Bill’s provisions were inclusive and representative.

A cornerstone of the Bill is the establishment of a Social Protection Authority, tasked with coordinating activities of all social protection agencies across the private and public sectors. For years, these agencies have operated in isolation, often leading to overlaps in programme implementation. The Authority will streamline efforts, improve efficiency, and oversee the Social Protection Breadbasket, a dedicated fund designed to support various social protection initiatives.

The Social Protection Bill builds on the 2018 Social Protection Policy and the 2022-2026 Social Protection Strategy, aligning with the African Union’s Strategy on Social Protection. Its enactment provides Sierra Leone with a unified framework to deliver more effective social protection interventions and address the needs of vulnerable populations across the country.

Credit – Information Unit, Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security.