Sierra Leone officials discuss health insurance and maritime labor reforms

The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security (MELSS) in Sierra Leone is engaging in discussions to expand social protections and labor standards across different sectors.

In collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), MELSS is exploring ways to expand health insurance for the country’s workforce. With the informal sector comprising over 80 per cent of workers, many currently lack coverage. The ECA is promoting its Sustainable Health Financing Initiative to help integrate health priorities into macroeconomic planning and mobilize domestic resources to reduce the financial burden on families.

Separately, the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration is working with MELSS to domesticate the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006, into national law. This effort aims to protect the welfare and rights of seafarers. Following recent reforms to the Merchant Shipping Act, officials plan to establish a joint committee to coordinate the development of a dedicated MLC Act in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO).