The Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray has called on the Organisation of Islamic States (OIC) to help remedy the maltreatment of Sierra Leone migrant workers in some of the countries where they work.
he was delivering his statement at the 5th Session of the Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Minister Swaray appreciated the opportunity afforded to Sierra Leoneans to work in the OIC countries as migrant workers but did not mince his words in calling for the organization(OIC) to look into the unfortunate situation of maltreatment, breaches of contracts, and other violations.
“We want to appreciate the opportunity afforded to our citizens to work in OIC countries as migrant workers, but we wish to express our concerns about their treatment in some of the countries where they work. We have received reports of ill-treatment, breaches of Contracts, and sundry other violations of their employment and other rights. We call on this body to help remedy these concerns as we look forward to working with the Labour Center to address these and other emerging concerns to achieve our collective aspirations to decent work for all.” Minister Swaray stressed.
Speaking on the theme: Innovative Solutions and Digitalisation of Labour and Employment Service, Minister Swaray commended the organizers for choosing such an appropriate and more timely theme as the 4th Industrial Revolution is already upon us.
He emphasized that Sierra Leone recognizes the ever-increasing role of digitalization for effective service delivery and has boldly committed to it in the President’s five big game changers in his second term.
“We have secured $50 million from the World Bank to expand internet connectivity, improve digital skills development and deliver government services digitally,” he stated.
Addressing the Israel/Palestine situation, Minister Swaray informed the gathering that, Sierra Leone as a member of the committee of 24 countries on decolonization and self-determination of nations of the world and a member of the committee for the inalienable rights of the people of Palestine, continues to call for a two-state solution with determined and secured borders to enable the two nations live side by side in peace and prosperity.
“We are concerned about the deaths of thousands of civilians especially women and children in the Israel/Palestine crisis. We therefore join other nations of the world to call for an immediate ceasefire and for allowing humanitarian aid to reach the people of Gaza”.
In concluding his statement, the Minister called for support for Sierra Leone’s digitalisation efforts from other OIC member states that have gone ahead “as a chain is as weak as its strongest link”.
