Freetown, 4 August 2026 – The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has issued a strong public warning after a document purporting to be an official government notice began circulating widely.
The fake notice, dated 3 August 2026 and bearing the Ministry’s letterhead and coat of arms, claimed that the governments of Iceland, Latvia, Italy, Luxembourg, Greece, Finland, Sweden and Poland had requested 150 skilled and unskilled workers each from Sierra Leone. It listed positions ranging from registered nurses and engineers to farm workers and cleaners, set an application deadline of 30 August 2026, and invited candidates to collect forms at the Ministry.
In an official response released today, the Ministry stated clearly that the document is fraudulent.
“The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has not issued any public notice, advertisement or invitation claiming that these European countries have requested workers through this Ministry,” the statement said.
Officials emphasised that no such recruitment programme has been authorised. Members of the public were urged not to submit applications, documents or personal information, and not to make any payments to individuals or agencies claiming to process applications linked to the notice.
The Ministry warned that anyone found producing, circulating or soliciting applications on the basis of the fake document will be reported to security and law-enforcement agencies.
It reiterated that genuine overseas employment opportunities for Sierra Leoneans will only be announced through official government channels. Citizens seeking verified information are advised to contact the Ministry directly at its New England Ville offices in Freetown or through authorised telephone lines.
The appearance of the forged notice has raised concerns about job-related scams targeting Sierra Leoneans seeking work abroad.
