Institutional capacity building
Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation empowers businesses with Labour Law Guide and Training
With ILO ACT/EMP support, the Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation launched a Practical Employers’ Guide and held training to enhance compliance with national labour laws. The initiative strengthens decent work and promotes a fair, productive business environment.
4 November 2025
Freetown, Sierra Leone (ILO NEWS)– The Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation (SLEF), with support from the ILO’s Bureau for Employers’ Activities, successfully launched the “Practical Employers’ Guide on the Employment Laws of Sierra Leone” and hosted a two-day training workshop for 75 company representatives in Freetown.
The event marked a significant step in promoting employers’ understanding and application of national labour laws. Participants—primarily Human Resources (HR) and legal professionals—engaged in interactive sessions using the newly launched guide as a reference tool.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Mr. Mohamed Rahman Swaray, Minister of Employment, Labour, and Social Security, who officially launched the guide. Remarks were also delivered by Mr. Kobi Walker, Chairman of SLEF; Ms. Sarah Thomas Kamara, Vice President of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress; and Ms. Vanessa Phala, ILO Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, who joined virtually.
This initiative follows the recent overhaul of key labour legislation in Sierra Leone, including the 2023 enactment of the Employment Act, Work Permit Act, and Overseas Employment and Migrant Workers Act, as well as the 2024 Trade Union and Industrial Relations Act.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act is currently under development. The guide distils these complex legal texts into a user-friendly format for employers.
For us at SLEF, this event is more than a workshop. It is part of our mission — to empower the private sector, to promote decent work, and to build enterprises that drive sustainable development in Sierra Leone. Employers must understand that compliance is not a burden — it is an investment. It builds trust with employees, prevents disputes, and enhances productivity. Kobi Walker, Chairman of Sierra Leone Employers Federation
The training covered a wide range of topics, including:
- Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
- Recruitment Procedures and Contract Types
- Compensation and Benefits
- Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion
- Separation, Leave, and Rest Days
- Managing Disputes and Penalties
A special session on “Social Dialogue and Collective Bargaining as Drivers for Productivity” was facilitated online by Faustin Amoussou, ILO Dakar Specialist for Social Dialogue and Labour Administration.
Participants welcomed the initiative and called for further clarification on certain legal provisions, noting challenges in compliance. SLEF committed to compiling these concerns into a formal set of recommendations to be submitted to the Ministry of Employment, Labour, and Social Security.
This workshop underscores SLEF’s growing leadership in fostering a fair, lawful, and cooperative work environment in Sierra Leone’s private sector.