In a landmark decision aimed at enhancing social security coverage, the Parliament of Sierra Leone has unanimously ratified the country’s inaugural Social Protection Bill, a pivotal advancement for private and informal sector workers.
This new legislation establishes a comprehensive legal framework under the auspices of the Ministry of Employment, Labour, and Social Security, addressing existing gaps in social protection programs and fostering improved coordination between the public and private sectors. A significant provision of the bill is the creation of a Social Protection Authority, tasked with overseeing the Social Protection Breadbasket—a dedicated fund designed to support a variety of social protection initiatives. This authority is intended to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and ensure that social protection measures effectively reach those in greatest need.
For the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), this legislation provides a crucial legal foundation to expand its services to the informal sector, which constitutes approximately 92% of Sierra Leone’s workforce. NASSIT Director General Mohamed Fuaad Daboh has been instrumental in championing this initiative, actively seeking global support, and collaborating with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to establish a sustainable Informal Sector Pension Scheme.
The proposed scheme incorporates flexible contribution options and a simplified registration process to grant informal workers access to benefits related to old age, disability, and survivors. An actuarial valuation report, developed with the assistance of the ILO, has assessed the financial viability and sustainability of the scheme, marking a significant advance in NASSIT’s efforts to integrate workers from informal sectors into the broader social security framework.
The Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has expressed a strong endorsement for this initiative, highlighting its critical importance for the future of workers in Sierra Leone.
