The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security Sierra Leone has been cited for several administrative and compliance issues in the 2023–2024 Auditor General’s Report.
The report revealed that two contract staff at the National Safety Net continued to receive salaries despite the absence of valid contract renewal documents. The individuals were paid a total of NLe133,320 during the period under review.
Auditors recommended that management provide proper contract documentation or remove the individuals from the payroll and recover the funds. However, the ministry did not respond, leaving the issue unresolved.
The audit also highlighted non-compliance with the Overseas Employment and Migrant Workers Act 2023. The Labour Migration Department failed to submit key documents required under the law, including proof of collateral, financial records, and safeguards against fraud. Auditors warned that this could expose citizens to fraudulent overseas employment schemes.
Furthermore, the report found that key oversight bodies, including the Work Permit Committee and the Overseas Migrant Workers Committee, were not functioning effectively. There was no evidence of regular meetings or documented decisions, raising concerns about weak supervision within the ministry.
While the ministry acknowledged challenges such as difficulty in forming a quorum for meetings, auditors noted that no clear action plan or timelines were provided to address the problem.
The Audit Service concluded that these issues remain unresolved and called for urgent corrective measures to strengthen accountability and protect public resources.
