By Mohamed Sheriff
Information Attaché | Geneva, Switzerland
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has called on member states of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) serves human dignity and promotes decent work rather than deepening inequality.
Addressing the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva under the theme, “A Moment of Choice: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Decent Work,” Minister Swaray said AI is not merely a technological issue but a matter of development, employment, and social justice. He warned that Africa cannot afford a widening digital divide within societies or between nations.
The Minister highlighted Sierra Leone’s growing leadership in labour governance, citing the country’s hosting of the 52nd African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) Governing Council Meeting and High-Level Symposium in Freetown, which brought together labour ministers, experts, and social partners from 13 African countries. He also referenced the Second National Labour Conference and Social Dialogue Forum held during this year’s May Day celebrations.
Minister Swaray outlined key labour reforms being implemented under President Julius Maada Bio’s administration, including a 50 percent increase in the national minimum wage from Le 800 to Le 1,200 effective April 2026, the full operationalisation of a digital work permit system in January 2026, and progress toward an Informal Sector Social Security Scheme aimed at extending pension and social protection coverage to self-employed workers.
He further noted that Cabinet has approved a new Data Protection and Right to Access Information Bill, reflecting the Government’s commitment to strengthening governance and protecting citizens’ rights in an increasingly digital world.
While acknowledging the opportunities AI presents for youth entrepreneurship, e-commerce, and remote work, the Minister cautioned that unequal access to internet connectivity, digital devices, and skills training could worsen existing inequalities. He also raised concerns about worker surveillance, algorithmic bias, data privacy, and job losses resulting from automation.
Concluding his statement, Minister Swaray called for stronger international cooperation and a renewed social contract that places people at the centre of technological advancement. “Artificial intelligence cannot and must not replace our commitment to human dignity,” he said, reaffirming Sierra Leone’s commitment to working with the ILO and global partners to ensure that technology advances workers’ rights and leaves no one behind.
The Minister was accompanied to the conference by Sierra Leone’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations, Samuel U.B. Saffa Esq.
