Sierra Leone Moves to Ratify Key International Labour Conventions

By Sahr Ibrahim Komba
The Government of Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening labour rights and workplace protection by initiating the process to ratify six priority International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions and the United Nations International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
The commitment was announced during the opening of a three-day Capacity Building Workshop on the Ratification of Priority International Labour Conventions, held in Freetown from 6 to 8 July 2026 and organised by the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Officially opening the workshop, Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, described the event as another milestone in Sierra Leone’s labour reform agenda.
He said the workshop reflects the Government’s determination to align national labour laws, policies and institutions with international labour standards while advancing the objectives of the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030) and Sustainable Development Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth.
The Minister disclosed that Sierra Leone has ratified 45 ILO conventions since becoming a member of the organisation, including all ten fundamental conventions, governance conventions and several technical conventions.
According to him, the proposed conventions address critical issues affecting today’s world of work, including occupational safety and health, maternity protection, prevention of workplace violence and harassment, chemical safety, safety in agriculture and the protection of migrant workers.
He stressed that ratification alone would not be enough, noting that the conventions must be domesticated through national legislation before they can be effectively implemented.
“Our work does not end with ratification,” he said. “Ratification must immediately be followed by domestication, effective implementation, regular monitoring and continuous social dialogue.”
The Minister further announced that the ministry will convene a Country Programme Committee meeting from 9 to 11 July to review progress under Sierra Leone’s Decent Work Country Programme, assess achievements and challenges, strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and agree on future actions.
Representing the ILO Country Director, Chinyere Emeka-Anuna said the workshop demonstrates Sierra Leone’s strong commitment to advancing social justice through international labour standards.
She explained that discussions would focus on ILO Conventions No. 170 on Chemicals, No. 174 on the Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents, No. 184 on Safety and Health in Agriculture, No. 183 on Maternity Protection, No. 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work and No. 192 on Biological Hazards in the Working Environment.
He added that participants would also examine the United Nations International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
According to her, ratifying Convention No. 183 would reinforce Sierra Leone’s commitment to gender equality by strengthening maternity protection, income security, health protection and safeguards against discrimination for pregnant and breastfeeding workers.
She noted that ratifying Convention No. 190 would help address violence and harassment in workplaces by providing a comprehensive legal framework for prevention, protection, accountability and social dialogue.
Citing global and national statistics, Emeka-Anuna said workplace violence remains a major challenge, while gender-based violence continues to undermine women’s participation and productivity in the labour market.
She reaffirmed the ILO’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone throughout the ratification process and beyond, including legislative reforms, policy development, social dialogue and implementation planning.
Secretary-General of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, Max K. Conteh, welcomed the workshop and called on the Government to expedite the passage of the remaining labour legislation before Parliament to facilitate the domestication of international labour standards.
He expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security and the ILO for supporting the country’s labour reform process and strengthening workers’ rights.
Also speaking, Project Officer of the Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation, Yvette Kargbo, described the workshop as timely, noting that Sierra Leone continues to strengthen its labour administration system and harmonise national laws with international labour standards.
She said employers recognise that safe, respectful and fair workplaces are essential not only for workers’ welfare but also for business productivity, competitiveness and long-term sustainability.

Kargbo, however, urged that implementation of the conventions should take into account the realities facing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
She called for practical policies, awareness campaigns, capacity building and adequate support mechanisms to ensure compliance without placing unnecessary burdens on businesses.
The workshop brought together representatives of government ministries, employers’ organisations, workers’ unions, development partners and labour experts to review the proposed conventions and develop a national roadmap for their ratification and implementation.
Participants are expected to conclude the workshop with recommendations that will guide Sierra Leone’s next steps towards strengthening labour protections, promoting decent work and aligning national legislation with international labour standards.