Sierra Leone will expand the enforcement of its Work Permit Act, 2023, to all international airports, seaports, and land border crossings starting Monday, June 29, 2026. This significant policy shift is designed to strengthen immigration controls and ensure full compliance with employment regulations across the country's critical points of entry. The expansion marks a key step in the government's efforts to regulate foreign employment and residency, building upon previous measures to enforce the act within internal regions. This nationwide approach aims to create a more consistent and strong framework for managing the influx of foreign workers and residents.
Enforcement Mission Findings
The announcement regarding expanded enforcement follows a three-day compliance and enforcement mission to Bo and Kenema, led by the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray. This targeted mission, which concluded recently, noted several areas of concern regarding adherence to existing labor and immigration laws. During this mission, authorities identified several instances of non-compliance with existing regulations, showing the necessity of more stringent oversight. For example, five foreign nationals were denied boarding on an Air Peace flight from Kenema on Friday, June 26, 2026. These individuals were unable to present authentic resident documentation when requested, leading to their immediate prevention from travel.
Separately, the mission also addressed workplace conditions at specific businesses, revealing further non-compliance issues. Splash Purified Water Company received an Improvement Notice during the enforcement drive. The company was issued seven days to rectify identified salary discrepancies and address occupational health and safety concerns within its operations. This directive came after inspectors discovered that the national minimum wage of Le1,200 had not been implemented for eligible workers at the company. These actions show the government's focus on ensuring adherence to labor laws and immigration requirements across various sectors and regions, demonstrating a commitment to protecting workers' rights and upholding legal standards.
Shift to Proactive Inspections
The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has transitioned from a complaint-driven enforcement model to one focused on proactive nationwide inspections. This strategic shift aims to pre-empt non-compliance by regularly monitoring employers and foreign nationals across various sectors and regions. The Ministry has explicitly abandoned its previous complaint-driven approach in favour of these more systematic, proactive nationwide inspections. This move signifies a more direct and systematic approach to upholding the Work Permit Act, 2023, and related labour regulations throughout Sierra Leone. This change reflects an intent to ensure consistent adherence to employment and immigration laws, moving beyond reactive responses to individual grievances and fostering a culture of continuous compliance.
Ministerial Warnings and Advice
The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has advised all employers and foreign nationals to obtain valid resident permits and work permits before engaging in employment. This directive emphasizes adherence to legal requirements for all individuals working in Sierra Leone, noting the importance of legal documentation for both employers and employees. During inspections, authorities found that Splash Purified Water Company had not implemented the national minimum wage of Le1,200 for eligible workers, a clear violation of labor laws. Separately, First Tricon Limited received explicit instructions to regularize the work permit status of all its foreign employees. The company must submit all workers’ contracts for verification to the Ministry, register with the Occupational Safety and Health Department, and ensure full compliance with all applicable labour and social security laws. This full set of requirements serves as a stern reminder to all businesses operating in Sierra Leone about their legal obligations.
