The Minister of Employment, Labour, and Social Security of Sierra Leone, Hon. Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has called for stronger global partnerships and innovative approaches to tackle informality in labour markets, particularly in developing countries. He made this passionate appeal while addressing the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, today.
Delivering Sierra Leone’s official statement to the Conference, Hon. Swaray emphasized the critical need for global solidarity, technology-driven solutions, and political commitment to address informality—a challenge that affects over 80% of Sierra Leone’s workforce.
“Informality is not just a labour market characteristic in Sierra Leone; it is a reality for the majority of our people,” Minister Swaray told delegates, which included global leaders, labour organizations, employers, and civil society representatives. “From agriculture to small-scale industries, informality is both vibrant and precarious, leaving millions without social protection or access to opportunities available in the formal sector.”
Highlighting recent national progress, the Minister informed the conference about Sierra Leone’s successful hosting of its first-ever National Labour Conference, held just weeks ago. The landmark event brought together a broad coalition of stakeholders—government, workers’ unions, employers, civil society organizations, and international partners—to chart the future of work in Sierra Leone.
At the center of the discussions was the role of innovation and technology in transforming the country’s labour market. This aligns closely with the ILC’s 2025 theme of promoting innovative approaches to addressing informality worldwide.
