Freetown, May 1, 2025 — President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to protecting workers’ dignity and promoting economic empowerment through inclusive reforms and expanded social protections.
Speaking at the 2025 Labour Day celebration at Miatta Conference Hall, President Bio praised the nation’s workforce—including teachers, healthcare professionals, farmers, miners, artisans, and informal sector workers—as “the true architects of our nation’s progress.”
“Today, I wear two hats: President and Worker,” he said. “As a public servant, I am humbled to celebrate this Labour Day alongside you. And as your President, I pledge to continue striving for a future in which all workers are treated with dignity and respect.”
President Bio described labour as a catalyst for national prosperity, highlighting key government achievements since 2018, including the formation of the Wages and Compensation Commission, reforms in education and healthcare, updates to labour legislation, and expanded social security coverage for informal workers.
He also instructed the Ministry of Employment, Labour, and Social Security to initiate talks on a new national minimum wage, calling it a “fundamental step toward ensuring every worker can live with dignity.”
Recognising the importance of the informal economy, the President announced plans to formalise and support small-scale workers, including petty traders and transport operators, by improving their access to social security through NASSIT.
He called for enhanced dialogue among workers, employers, and government stakeholders to foster workplace harmony and national development.
“This is not an impossible dream,” he said. “It is the Sierra Leone that your labour is creating—brick by brick, day by day. Let us commit ourselves to building a nation where every worker’s contribution is valued, labour leads to prosperity, and the dignity of work becomes our national reality.”
The celebration ended with a shared commitment from government, workers, and partners to drive decent work and inclusive development across the country.
