The Government of Sierra Leone engaged Chancellors, Vice Chancellors, Principals, Registrars, and other senior officials from public tertiary institutions this week. The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education convened the meeting. This engagement occurred amidst a strike threat from the Union of Academic Staff Associations (UASA). The full meeting aimed to address pressing concerns regarding the potential industrial action and its implications for the nation's higher education sector.
Negotiations and Demands
Representatives from the Wages and Compensation Commission (WCC), the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, and the leadership of public tertiary institutions participated in the discussions. The Wages and Compensation Commission is responsible for handling salary negotiations within the government. This body plays a key role in evaluating compensation demands and their feasibility within the national budget. Additionally, the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security holds responsibility for labour administration, oversight, and mediation efforts, aiming to foster amicable resolutions in industrial disputes. Their presence showed the multi-faceted approach being taken by the government to avert the impending strike.
The Union of Academic Staff Associations (UASA) initially sought a 500 percent salary increase but later revised its demand to 100 percent. This significant reduction in their demand followed earlier proposals submitted by UASA in June 2026, which outlined their requests for salary increases and improved conditions of service. UASA announced its intention to undertake industrial action while negotiations concerning these demands were still in progress. The timing of this announcement has added urgency to the ongoing discussions between the union and government representatives.
Government's Financial Assessment
The Government of Sierra Leone currently accounts for approximately 83 percent of salary payments to university staff, with universities covering the remaining 17 percent. This long-standing arrangement notes the government's substantial financial commitment to the tertiary education sector. The Wages and Compensation Commission submitted its assessment to the Ministry of Finance on September 11, 2026. This assessment is a critical step in determining the financial viability of UASA's revised demands. The Government has been responsible for paying the majority of university lecturers' salaries since the 2018/2019 academic year, a policy that has provided stability for academic staff. Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Ramatulai Wurie, stated, "The Government is assessing the revised proposal against available fiscal resources and relevant benchmarks." This assessment follows the Union of Academic Staff Associations' (UASA) revised demand for a 100 percent salary increase and is expected to inform the government's final position on the matter. The government's financial capacity to meet such a significant increase is a central point of contention in the ongoing negotiations.
Official Statements and Next Steps
The engagement, convened on September 17, 2026, focused on ongoing negotiations with the Union of Academic Staff Associations (UASA). Discussions also covered UASA's salary and conditions-of-service demands, alongside the implications of the union's strike notice on the functioning of tertiary institutions across Sierra Leone. The potential disruption to academic calendars and student learning remains a significant concern for all stakeholders. UASA had previously submitted proposals outlining its demands for salary increases and improved conditions of service in June 2026, initiating the formal negotiation process. During the meeting, Section 64(3) of the Industrial Relations and Trade Union Act 2023 was cited concerning the legality of proceeding with industrial action while negotiations remain ongoing. This legal reference shows the government's position on the appropriate conduct during labour disputes and its efforts to ensure adherence to established industrial relations frameworks. The discussions noted the complexities involved in balancing the demands of academic staff with the government's fiscal realities and legal obligations.