Freetown, May 6, 2025 — Operations at the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) have been disrupted as staff members launched a strike action, citing longstanding issues related to inadequate salaries and restrictive directives from the institution’s board.
The protest, which began earlier today, is reportedly a response to years of unresolved grievances.
Speaking during a livestreamed interview on Radio Democracy, one staff member revealed that some employees receive as little as 600 Leones in salary—a figure that falls drastically below the national minimum wage. This, they say, has led to severe demoralization and plummeting staff morale.
Another employee pointed to the declining state of the SLBC’s infrastructure, blaming it on a persistent lack of funding for maintenance.
According to them, a recent board directive now forbids any expenditures above 20,000 Leones, effectively stalling critical improvements and day-to-day operations.
Several workers expressed frustration over the institution’s stagnation since the exit of former Director General Joseph E. Kapuwa. They claim the board has since sidelined progressive initiatives that once aimed to modernize the broadcaster.
Veteran employees, some with decades of service, lamented the absence of career growth and professional development, underscoring that current wages do not meet even their basic living expenses.
As of press time, no official response has been issued by the government or the SLBC board. However, efforts are underway to obtain a statement from the relevant authorities.
This story is developing.
