ILO supports Sierra Leone’s labour transformation, unveiling historic job tracking platform

Freetown – The International Labour Organization (ILO) proudly joined forces with the Government of Sierra Leone and key social partners to advance the nation’s labour agenda, culminating in the first National Labour Conference (April 29 – May 1, 2025), with the theme “Shaping the Future of Work” and the launch of the Sierra Leone Labour Market Information System (SL-LMIS)—a real-time platform revolutionizing job tracking and workforce planning.

ILO’s commitment to decent work, social justice, and economic empowerment was at the heart of the conference, which convened government leaders, employers, unions, and development partners to shape Sierra Leone’s labour policies for an inclusive and resilient workforce. This represented a Bold Step Towards Decent Work, Social Protection, and Economic Empowerment.

ILO Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Liaison Office for ECOWAS, Vanessa Phala, emphasized the importance of legal frameworks and social protection

Workers deserve dignity, security, and fair opportunities. This conference and the SL-LMIS platform represent a crucial step toward realizing sustainable employment for all.

Vanessa Phala, ILO Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Liaison Office for ECOWAS

She stated that the SL-LMIS platform provided critical labour insights, allowing policymakers to track job creation progress toward the government’s ambitious 500,000-job target by 2028. With more than 145,000 jobs already mapped, it enhances employer engagement, supports job seekers, and strengthens research-based labour policies.

Throughout the conference, expert panels explored pressing topics, including AI and the workforce, entrepreneurship, and education-employment linkages, reaffirming ILO’s commitment to preparing Sierra Leone’s labour force for the future. With the government, workers, and development partners rallying behind equitable labour reforms, ILO remains steadfast in its mission to promote decent work, social justice, and sustainable livelihoods, ensuring that every worker’s contribution is recognized and valued in the nation’s pursuit of economic prosperity.

May Day is not just a holiday—it is a tribute to the silent heroism of our workers. Today, I wear two hats: President and Worker. As a public servant, I am humbled to celebrate this Labour Day alongside you. And as your President, I pledge to continue striving for a future in which all workers are treated with dignity and respect. Labour is not just a means of survival but a path to prosperity and national transformation.

President Julius Maada Bio

President Bio also directed the Ministry of Employment, Labour, and Social Security to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage, describing it as a “fundamental step toward ensuring every worker can live with dignity.”

The Minister of Employment, Labour, and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray said, "We are not on the sidelines—we are acting." He commended social partners for their commitment to labour reform and emphasized closing the decent work gap and preparing workers for emerging trends like AI and automation. He expressed the commitment of Sierra Leonean Government to workers dignity, social protection, and economic empowerment through labour reforms and digital transformation.

Enterprises that benefitted from the ILO’s technical and financial support through Opportunity Salone Project funded by the European Union, exhibited their products at the event. This forms the highlight of the event . Enterprises were pulled from the four districts of operation ( Bo, Kenema, Port Loko and Bombali with value added products from the three value chains.( Cassava( garri, cassava Flour, pastries ,charcoal ,and poultry feed). Oil Palm( Palm Oil, Fat free Palm Oil, palm Kannel Oil, soap-power ,bar, liquid and cosmetic products). Vegetables (Fresh vegetable , Tomato paste ,Onions, Sweet pepper etc). Business networks were built amongst the enterprises themselves ,with consumers of the different products and institutions.