02/05/2026
We are honored to participate in the 2026 National Labour Conference and Social Dialogue, organized by the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, and the Sierra Leone Employers Federation. The event took place from 30 April to 1 May 2026 at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown, as part of this year’s May Day celebrations.
The conference brought together government officials, labour unions, employers, and international partners.
Key highlights:
Deputy Minister of Employment, Hon. Mohamed Lansana Dumbuya, chaired the event and announced major labour reforms:
· Ratification of ILO conventions on migrant workers and occupational safety
· New laws: Employment Act (2023), Work Permit Act (2023), Overseas Employment & Migration Act
· Minimum wage increased from Le800 to Le1,200 (effective April 2026)
· Pensions improved from Le25 to Le250
Challenges acknowledged: youth unemployment, wage disparities, pension compliance, and skills mismatch between graduates and market needs.
Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh spoke on “Challenges & Opportunities of Decent Work in the Digital Era” – stressing the need to ensure digital jobs benefit all, especially youth and women in the informal economy.
Marx Conteh (Secretary General, Sierra Leone Labour Congress) praised the peaceful social dialogue approach.
The presence of Care for Farmers Initiatives - CFI ensured that the voices of farmers and agricultural workers were part of the conversation on decent work, skills development, and food security. During the event, we met with two inspiring agriprenuers organizations:
* Siato Company (based in Bo district)
* Cassavity SL Limited (based in Makeni)
Their work is truly amazing – they are driving value addition by processing cassava into flour, garri, and foo-foo, directly promoting food security and creating decent livelihoods along the agricultural value chain.
The conference concluded with social dialogue sessions, panel discussions, and stakeholder engagements – all focused on bridging the gap between education and employment, tackling skills shortages, and exploring opportunities within the creative industry. Activities climaxed with the national commemoration of May Day, hosted by President Julius Maada Bio.
Our mission at Care for Farmers Initiatives (CFI) remains committed to advocating for decent work and sustainable opportunities for Smallholders farmers and agriprenuers, contributing to inclusive growth and food security in Sierra Leone.
Happy International Labour Day!