Sierra Leone and Lebanon Forge Stronger Ties to Protect Migrant Workers
*Doha, Qatar 16th October 2025*
In a bid to strengthen international labour cooperation, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Honourable Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has held high-level talks with Lebanon’s Minister of Labour H E Dr. Mohammad Haidar.
The bilateral meeting took place ahead of the 6th Session of the Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers in Doha, highlighting a shared commitment to improving the conditions for migrant workers.
The discussions focused on reinforcing the long-standing relationship between the two nations by advancing formal labour agreements and creating new investment and employment opportunities for Sierra Leoneans abroad.
Minister Swaray began by expressing his sincere gratitude to the Lebanese government for the support provided to Sierra Leonean citizens during the recent crisis in Lebanon. This gesture underscored the depth of the people-to-people connection between the two countries.
Looking to the future, Minister Swaray proposed a key initiative: the establishment of a joint database system. This digital platform would be crucial for both countries to regulate the flow of regular and irregular migration, track migrant workers and their families, and, most importantly, monitor the well-being of all Sierra Leonean workers in Lebanon.
In a positive outcome, both ministers agreed on a clear road map to develop and establish a formal Bilateral Labour Agreement (BLA). This agreement is designed to be a win-win for both Sierra Leone and Lebanon, ensuring fair and ethical recruitment and employment practices.
Sierra Leone and Lebanon share a long-lasting relationship, historically promoting mutual business, investment, and job creation. This new agreement promises to build on that solid foundation, ensuring that the welfare of workers remains a central priority for both nations.
