By Nasratu Kargbo
The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Alpha Osman Timbo has during a five day work shop on the 9th August 2021 said that Sierra Leone in now eligible to vote in the International Labour Organization (ILO), noting that the government has paid all financial obligations to the organization.
Giving his keynote address at the event held at Radisson Blu hotel in Freetown, the Minister said one of the responsibilities of all member states is the payment of affiliation fees, which serves as a means to aid the organization function effectively in the discharge of its mandate. The minister added that despite the challenges, the country has fulfilled its financial obligation to the ILO and maintained its relationship.
Timbo explained that Sierra Leone has continued to benefit from the ILO in the area of capacity building of tripartite constituents as well as financial and technical support. Ongoing review of the labour laws, creation of the employment policy are also among many other facilities the country has benefited from.
Speaking on the relevance of international labour standards, the minister stated that they are aimed at improving the lives and dignity of people engaged in the line of work, through the promotion of decent work without exception to women or men, thus contributing to socio-economic development.
The Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, Max K. Conteh said that the country has been lacking in meeting its financial obligations since 1985. However, he said the present government has made some moves to make sure the country meets its financial obligations.
He said he was able to exercise that right two years ago after financial obligations have been met.
The Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Security Lansana Mohamed Dumbuya said for the past twenty years the biggest challenge they have been faced with is reporting. He added that due to this defect, the country has been going against many constitutional provisions of the ILO.
Dumbuya stated that not adhering to these obligations have affected the country’s rating in the international community. In a bid to be at par with international bodies, the Ministry and ILO organized the workshop to capacitate and equip the ministry to report on all conventions, whether they are ratified or not.
The Executive Secretary of the Sierra Leone Employers Federation, Leslie Thomas explained that the conventions are part of the national laws, as they are passed in the well of parliament for ratification with employers under obligation to respect those laws.
The workshop was organized to gain knowledge on ILO and its systems, reporting on international labour standards.
Sierra Leone has ratified thirty-five conventions, twenty- six of these remain active, with four denounced. Some key ratifications are Convention 143 on Migrant Workers and Convention 155 on Occupational Safety and Health. Sierra Leone has been part of the ILO for 60 years.
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