26/06/2026
Labour Minister Concludes Three-Day Work Permit Compliance Mission in Bo and Kenema, Intensifies Nationwide Enforcement Drive
Kenema, Friday, 26 June 2026 – The Honourable Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, today concluded a three-day compliance and enforcement mission across the Southern and Eastern Regions, reaffirming the Government's commitment to the strict implementation of the Employment Act, 2023, and the Work Permit Act, 2023.
The high-level mission, which commenced on Wednesday and concluded today, was led by the Minister and accompanied by the Commissioner of Labour and Employment, Sinneh Bockarie, Directors of the Ministry, and senior officials of Constrat Systems SL Limited, the Government's Public-Private Partnership contractor responsible for administering the Unified Resident and Work Permit System. The Constrat Systems SL delegation included the Heads of Compliance, Complaints and Resolution, Ms. Mercy Oguama, and Corporate Services, Ms. Lydia Jalloh, reflecting a collaborative approach to strengthening compliance and service delivery nationwide.
Over the three-day mission, the delegation engaged employers, workers, regional stakeholders, and security authorities through live radio discussions and workplace inspections to strengthen compliance with labour legislation and ensure that all foreign nationals employed in Sierra Leone possess valid Work Permits.
The delegation conducted inspections at Splash Purified Water Company, First Tricon Construction and Civil Engineering Company, and Hill Top Hotel, amongst others, where employers were reminded of their statutory obligations under the Employment Act, 2023, and the Work Permit Act, 2023. Companies found to be in breach were issued directives and improvement notices requiring immediate corrective action.
As part of the mission, the Minister and his delegation also engaged the Regional Police Commands in both the Southern and Eastern Regions to strengthen inter-agency collaboration ahead of the nationwide compliance and enforcement campaign. The discussions focused on coordinated enforcement, intelligence sharing, and operational support for inspections at workplaces, airports, and border crossings.
Commissioner of Labour and Employment, Sinneh Bockarie, commended the level of collaboration witnessed throughout the mission.
"I am encouraged by the level of cooperation between Labour Officers, Immigration personnel, the Sierra Leone Police, and the Constrat Systems teams in Bo and Kenema. While challenges remain, this partnership gives us every confidence that the Unified Work Permit System will continue to succeed through coordinated enforcement and sustained public engagement. Beyond improving regulatory compliance, the Unified Work Permit System strengthens national security and enhances Government revenue by ensuring that every foreign national employed in Sierra Leone is properly documented, traceable, and working in accordance with the laws of the Republic."
The Minister highlighted that the mission forms part of a broader national strategy to decentralize services, noting that regional offices have now been established in Bo, Kenema, and Kono and will soon be officially commissioned. These offices will serve as regional hubs for work permit processing, compliance monitoring, inspections, and employer support.
Speaking on behalf of Constrat Systems SL Limited, Ms. Mercy Oguama, Head of Compliance, Complaints and Resolution, said the mission demonstrated the value of strong collaboration between Government institutions and the Public-Private Partnership in delivering an efficient and credible permit system.
"As the Government's implementation partner for the Unified Resident and Work Permit System, Constrat Systems remains committed to supporting the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security and the Sierra Leone Immigration Department through efficient service delivery, stakeholder engagement, and responsive compliance support. Our role is to help ensure that employers and foreign nationals understand and comply with the legal requirements, while providing a professional and accessible service that strengthens the integrity of the system."
The Ministry further confirmed that enforcement of work permits will now be intensified at Freetown International Airport, where implementation of the Resident Permit regime is already yielding results. During enforcement activities today, five foreign nationals traveling on Air Peace were denied boarding after failing to present authentic resident documentation, demonstrating the Government's resolve to uphold the integrity of Sierra Leone's immigration and labour systems.
The Ministry announced that similar enforcement measures will soon be rolled out at all seaports and land border crossings, where foreign nationals will be required to present valid Resident Permits and, where applicable, Work Permits, in accordance with the laws of Sierra Leone.
Speaking at the conclusion of the mission, the Honourable Minister, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, reaffirmed the Government's determination to enforce compliance nationwide.
"This mission marks the beginning of a new era of compliance and enforcement. We have educated employers, decentralised our services and established regional offices to make compliance accessible. The responsibility now rests with employers and foreign nationals to comply with the law. We will continue to enforce the Employment Act and the Work Permit Act without fear or favour. From workplaces to airports, seaports and land borders, the message is clear: every foreign national must have the appropriate documentation, and every employer must comply with the law. Sierra Leone welcomes investment, but it demands compliance."
The Government reaffirmed that nationwide inspections will continue across all regions as part of its commitment to protecting workers' rights, promoting decent work, safeguarding national security, and ensuring that all foreign nationals employed in Sierra Leone do so legally under the Employment Act, 2023, and the Work Permit Act, 2023.
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