The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has intensified its nationwide compliance campaign, targeting several companies in Bo and Kenema over alleged breaches of labour laws, workplace safety standards, and employment regulations.
Leading the inspection exercise on Thursday, the Commissioner of Labour and Employment and a team of senior officials visited Splash Purified Water Company in Bo, where inspectors identified multiple violations relating to occupational health and safety, employment contracts, and workers’ welfare.
The Ministry directed the company to submit all employees’ contracts of employment to the Regional Labour Office in Bo for verification in line with the Employment Act 2023.
Inspectors also found that the company had not implemented the recently approved national minimum wage of Le1,200.
An Improvement Notice was subsequently issued, giving the company’s management seven days to comply with the minimum wage requirement and address all workplace health and safety concerns.
The enforcement team also inspected First Tricon Limited, a construction and civil engineering company located along the Bo-Kenema Highway. During the visit, management was instructed to submit staff employment contracts for review, implement the national minimum wage for eligible workers, register with the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department, ensure full NASSIT compliance, and regularise the work permit status of all foreign employees in accordance with the Work Permit Act 2023.
The inspection later moved to Kenema, where officials visited Dorwaila Hotel and Hill Top Hotel as part of the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen compliance with labour regulations across the hospitality sector.
Speaking during the exercise, the Commissioner of Labour and Employment said the Ministry had adopted a proactive approach to enforcement by conducting on-the-spot workplace inspections instead of waiting for complaints from employees.
The Ministry maintained that the nationwide inspections will continue as part of efforts to ensure employers comply with the Employment Act 2023 and the Work Permit Act 2023, while protecting workers’ rights and promoting safe and decent working conditions across Sierra Leone.
