Rado Swaray Pushes Reforms on Work, Residential Permits
The Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, is once again at the forefront of a major policy shift this time addressing the sensitive issue of work and residential permit fees for foreign expatriate workers in Sierra Leone. In a recent engagement with the Business Community, Minister Swaray urged stakeholders to view the proposed upward review not as a burden, but as a shared opportunity for national progress.
In a meeting attended by representatives from leading organizations such as Leone Rock Metal Group, Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, Indian Mercantile Association, Maya Mining, and the British Chamber of Commerce in Sierra Leone, Minister Swaray laid out comparative data from surrounding countries. He explained that the revised fees aim to bring Sierra Leone in line with regional and global standards while addressing long-standing gaps in the system.
According to him, this reform is not merely a revenue measure it is a strategic step towards revitalizing a process that has been stalled for years due to various challenges. He appealed to private sector employers to look beyond immediate financial implications and instead consider the broader benefits for the country’s economic growth, administrative efficiency, and compliance with international best practices.
“This is a win-win situation,” he emphasized. “The Government is committed to fostering an environment that attracts investment while ensuring fair contributions from all who benefit from Sierra Leone’s resources and opportunities.”
The meeting forms part of an ongoing dialogue between the Ministry and the Business Community aimed at arriving at a mutually agreeable revised fee structure. Minister Swaray also outlined the government’s specific goals for the reform, including improved regulation of expatriate employment, increased transparency, and better alignment with labour market needs.
Minister Swaray’s leadership track record gives confidence to such initiatives. As Minister of Information, he spearheaded a number of bold reforms
enhancing mobile communication services, ensuring Sierra Leone met its obligations to international telecommunications bodies, and bringing government closer to citizens through weekly press briefings. Many of these reforms continue to benefit the nation and his successors in office.
Wherever he serves, Minister Swaray has built a reputation as a results-driven leader who delivers on his mandates and never shies away from tough but necessary reforms. His latest efforts on work and residential permit policy reflect not only his commitment to effective governance but also his belief in forging partnerships that serve both the public interest and the business community.
