02/05/2023
STATEMENT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE SIERRA LEONE LABOUR CONGRESS IN OBSERVANCE OF THE 2023 INTERNATIONAL WORKERS’ DAY (MAY DAY)
Your Excellency, the President
Honourable Minister of Labour& Social Security
Ministers of Government
Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps
Our Esteemed Employers
Colleague Workers,
Our Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am happy to address you as we join other nations around the world to observe International Workers’ Day, otherwise referred to as “May Day” or “Labour Day” which falls on May 1 each year.
On behalf of the Executive and the membership of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, the “umbrella” Trade Union Organization in this country, I wish to first of all thank workers for their support to the cause of the labour movement all these years.
Colleague workers, allow me to also greet you on behalf of the leadership of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress on this International Workers’ Day when workers all over the world will be marching and meeting either to celebrate gains or to protest against the appalling working conditions, they find themselves in.
May I also take this opportunity to welcome and thank H.E the President, Dr. Brigadier Rtd Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.We wish to thank him for consenting to grace this all-important occasion with his presence and to address the workers of our beloved Country.
This year’s May Day theme is: “Ensuring Democratic Governance for Peace and Security”. This theme was carefully selected to reflect the aspirations of the workers towards the conduct of free, fair, credible and peaceful elections on the 24th June, 2023 that will guarantee peace and security which are the main ingredient for investment, sustainable socio-economic development and political stability.
The International Workers’ Day is a day to celebrate the social and economic achievements of workers, because “without workers’ brains and muscles, not a single wheel could turn”. It is also recognized as International Workers’ holiday, chosen over one hundred years ago to commemorate the struggles and gains of workers.
International Workers’ Day (May Day) is important not only for its historical significance, but also as a time to organize and speak out about issues that are impacting working-class people today, either negatively or positively. On this great day, workers worldwide remind themselves of some of the major issues affecting their well-being. It is an occasion for workers to come together in unity and friendship to celebrate past achievements and reflect on the ever-increasing challenges and setbacks they are confronted with.
As we take stock of what we have done and achieved over the past years, May Day provides the platform for the Trade Union Movement to be more united than ever before andbe part of the Think-Tank for pragmatic solutions to the socio-economic challenges facing their members and our nation. We should also be part of the policymakers, implementers, monitors and evaluators of Government projects and programmes.
As we commemorate this day, workers wish to thank the government for the recently enacted Labour Laws (Namely: Employment Act, Work Permit Act and the Overseas and Migrant Workers Act). Workers are optimistic that with these Labour Laws, their employment status will be safeguarded, guaranteed and improved.Workers also call on Government to ensure that the remaining Labour Bills (Namely: Trade Union and Industrial Relations Bill, Occupational, Safety & Health, Workers Compensation Bill, Social Protection Bill and National Social Security Scheme Bill) areimmediately enacted.
Similarly, the Congress thank Government for the recently enacted Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act in 2022 which creates inclusiveness of women’s participation on all spheres of public life.
As we commemorate this Day, let me outline some of the major challenges confronting the labour movement in Sierra Leone:
The constant violation of human and trade union rights by some institutions in both the private and public sectors, such as unfair and wrongful termination/dismissals of workers.
Non-implementation of Collective Agreements by somegovernment institutions and employers in the private sector.
Lack of adequate consultations by government and some institution with the SLLC and Affiliate Trade Unions on issues relating to the welfare of worker
Failure by some Employers in the private sector to implement the current national minimum wage of NLe 800 per month.
The generally poor conditions of service for workers in the private and public sectors.
The need to promote good governance, democracy & the rule of law and curb general lawlessness.
Intimidation and victimization by some employers regarding workers’ desire to belong to a trade union.
Influx of foreign labour into the local labour market, Contract and Casualisationin the public and private sector specifically the private security agencies and warehouses.
Inadequate provision of infrastructural facilities for our membership in the informal sector; lack of markets, parking space especially for motorbikes and commercial vehicles.
Inadequate attention by the state for the general well-being of workers engaged in the informal economy to give incentives for the formalization of this sector.
The non-payment of severance benefits for workers who were previously employed by the Sierra Leone Airport Authority.
The Sierra Leone Labour Congress call upon Government to the following:
To develop a comprehensive policy for food security that will reduce the importation of rice, which our staple food and enhance the enabling environment for other foodstuffs production.
To halt the rapid fall of our Currency, the Leone against foreign currencies.
To ameliorate the current cost of living of the workers and average Sierra Leoneans.
To adopt a human-face tax regime that will not discourage investment.
To remove completely tax on End-of-Services Benefits and Redundancy Compensation. The SLLC is of the honest view that tax on these payments on cessation of employment is unreasonable and un-realistic because the worker has been paying tax throughout his working life and should not be asked to pay when exiting.
The government has recently passed a new National Minimum Wage of 800 NLeeffective 1stApril, 2023. However, this amount do not match-up with cost of living for which this wage is intended. Comparatively, the minimum wage in its passage some years ago was above $100 but is now below $40 for which a request is made for urgent review.
The Governmentto speed up the establishment of the Wages and Compensation Commission upon its passage of the Bill recently. This call is made due to the reported current moves by some institutions in Government to Dollarise their terms and conditions of service.
The Government to give financial support to the Sierra Leone Labour Congress for workers’education.
We encourage employing authorities to observe all human and trade union rights as enshrined in our laws as well as International Instruments. The time for complacency and exploitation of workers is over. The Labour Congress will use all available means at its disposal to expose such unfair labour practices and also use the appropriate channels it deems fit to forestall such malpractices. The time has come for the Sierra Leone Labour Congress to take its usual front line role in all issues that affect the people of this nation.
I, therefore, call upon our social partners (Government and Employers) to work together with the Sierra Leone Labour Congress in ensuring that we make real progress in addressing the issues outlined above in the days to come.
His Excellency, colleague workers, ladies and gentlemen, empirical evidence shows that the employment problems facing the youths has reached unprecedented proportions, as thousands of young people lack the opportunity to earn a decent living through useful and productive work. I therefore urge Government to work towards employment creation for our youth.
Let me conclude by sending fraternal greetings on behalf of the Labour Congress to all our international partners, the ILO, DTDA, ITUC and ITUC Africa, OTUWA, OATUU and Solidarity Center. To our esteemed employers and the Government of Sierra Leone for their support and collaboration with the Sierra Leone Labour Congress over the years.
LONG LIVE THE WORKERS OF SIERRA LEONE!
LONG LIVE WORKER’S SOLIDARITY!!
LONG LIVE THE SIERRA LEONE LABOUR CONGRESS!!!
LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE!!!
ALUTHA CONTINUA - THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES!!!!
HAPPY MAY DAY CELEBRATION AND THANK YOU.
