The Government of Sierra Leone, through its Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, launched a two-day capacity-building workshop on Tuesday, 15 July 2026. This significant initiative, a strong partnership forged with the ECOWAS Commission and the International Labour Organization (ILO), aims to substantially enhance labour inspection capabilities and rigorously enforce decent work standards across the country. The workshop specifically seeks to improve the protection of domestic workers by strengthening the capacities of relevant stakeholders involved in the sector. This collaborative effort shows a profound commitment from the Sierra Leonean government and its partners to fostering better working conditions and ensuring full compliance with labour regulations within Sierra Leone's vital domestic work sector. The overarching goal of this partnership is to strengthen the protection of domestic workers throughout the nation.
Workshop Goals and Scope
The initiative is meticulously designed to improve labour inspections and enhance protection for domestic workers, with a particular focus on the often-vulnerable migrant domestic workers. It also explicitly aims to strengthen compliance with both national and international labour standards that govern this critical segment of the workforce. During the two-day workshop, participants are expected to actively engage in developing practical inspection tools, which include the creation of standard inspection checklists and effective referral mechanisms for addressing grievances and violations. A key objective of this gathering is to significantly strengthen coordination among labour inspectors, trade unions, and other vital stakeholders who play a key role in safeguarding workers' rights. This enhanced coordination seeks to improve the implementation of ILO Convention No. 189 and to actively promote decent work for all domestic workers across Sierra Leone. Participants are specifically expected to strengthen this coordination among labour inspectors, trade unions, and other key stakeholders to enhance the implementation of ILO Convention No. 189 and promote decent work for domestic workers throughout Sierra Leone.
Legal Framework and Reforms
Sierra Leone took a key step towards protecting domestic workers by ratifying International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 189 in 2021. This ratification established a full framework for domestic worker rights within the country's legal system. The government has proactively introduced significant reforms through the Migrant Workers Act. These reforms are multifaceted, aiming to regulate private recruitment agencies more effectively, promote ethical recruitment practices to prevent exploitation, meticulously verify overseas employment opportunities to ensure their legitimacy, and strengthen safeguards for Sierra Leoneans seeking work abroad. These measures collectively represent a concerted effort to create a safer and more equitable environment for migrant workers.
Recognizing the dynamic nature of labour legislation and the need for continuous improvement, the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security is currently considering a thorough review of existing legislation. This review specifically seeks to address implementation gaps that have been identified over the past three years since the ratification of Convention No. 189 and the introduction of the Migrant Workers Act. The ultimate goal of this legislative re-evaluation is to enhance legal protections, particularly for migrant domestic workers, ensuring that the legal framework remains strong and responsive to their needs.
Key Stakeholders and Perspectives
The partnership behind the workshop represents a unified front aiming to strengthen the protection of domestic workers in Sierra Leone. A key objective of the initiative is to reinforce collaboration among all stakeholders in implementing ILO Convention No. 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers, ensuring a coordinated approach to its enforcement. Obinna Ajugwo, representing the ECOWAS Directorate of Free Movement of Persons and Migration, participated actively in the event, noting the regional importance of these discussions. Inviolata Chinyangarara, the Senior Specialist for Workers’ Activities, represented the International Labour Organization Country Office, emphasizing the ILO's foundational role in advancing global labour standards and providing technical expertise. Marx Conteh, the esteemed Secretary-General of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, also attended, reflecting the key involvement and perspectives of worker organizations in these vital discussions.
Call for Enhanced Enforcement
The workshop brought together a diverse and critical group of participants, including labour inspectors, representatives from workers’ organizations, and other tripartite partners, to discuss avenues for improving the enforcement of labour laws. This gathering aimed to significantly strengthen the capacity of these stakeholders in monitoring and ensuring compliance with regulations specifically designed to protect domestic workers. The discussions focused intensely on practical steps to enhance oversight and accountability within the domestic work sector, fostering a culture of compliance. Participants meticulously reviewed current inspection methodologies, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and explored collaborative strategies to effectively address identified gaps in enforcement. The active engagement of various parties shows a collective and determined effort to reinforce the implementation of national and international labour standards for domestic workers in Sierra Leone. The emphasis remains firmly on developing more effective mechanisms for identifying and rectifying breaches of labour rights, ensuring that protections translate into tangible benefits for domestic workers.
