๐๐จ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ข๐๐ฎ ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฒ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค
In a press release dated March 20, 2025, the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security (MELSS) and Koidu Limited announced an agreement to end weeks-long labour disputes, appealing to the Koidu Limited Workforce to return to work.
In February this year, with support from the First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, staff of Koidu Limited, down their tools, demanding the management of the company to address various concerns of working conditions, including 30% increment of salaries.
Following lengthy negotiations, MELSS and the Management of Koidu Limited reached an agreement to address all the concerns of the workers on strike, providing an ultimatum of 48 hours to deliver after returning to work.
PROVISION OF QUARTERLY BONUS PAYMENTS
According to the agreement, by April 2nd, 2025, there will be an introduction of quarterly bonus payments to the workers based on diamonds exports pricing, as supervised by the government of Sierra Leone.
NO RE-EMPLOYMENT OF RELIEVED STAFF
However, it is noted in the agreement that there will not be any re-employment of relieved staff, but end of service benefits will be paid as provided by labor laws in the country. Aggrieved individuals under this instance are encouraged to seek redress pursuant to the employment law.
ESTABLISHMENT OF KOIDU WORKERS FORUM
Additionally, it is stated that there will be an establishment of Koidu Workers Forum (KWF), aiming at restoring long term peace and stability to the benefit of all stakeholders. The Minister of Employment, Labor and Social Security is proposed to be the chairperson of the forum. The forum will be responsible to develop initiatives, in line with international standards, that will be beneficial to the workforce and stakeholders.
COMMITMENT TO COMPLYย
Koidu Limited reaffirms its commitment to comply with the laws of Sierra Leone, adding that diamond production and exports will continue to be under the full supervision and control of GoSL.
Below is a display of the recommendations from MELLS to Koidu Limited, based on the workers’ concerns.
Appendix 1 – Letter from MELSS to Koidu Limited on 28 February 2025
1. Reinstate without precondition all workers suspended, terminated and dismissed as a result of advocating for their right from the 22″ August, 2024 to date and to forward copies of all rescinded letters to the Ministry for our attention.
2. Pay all backlog salaries and other benefits to staff affected in point number 1 above
3. Increase 30% to the existing salary of staff effective 15 April, 2025 to make up for the historical injustice
4. Pay risk allowance to staff working at areas identified high risk during the riskโจassessment
5. Management to provide bus service for staff at selected pick-up points to ease movement
6. Management to provide medical facility in accordance with the Labour Laws
7. Management to allow staff to choose banks of their choice for the purpose of salary payment
8. Pay inducement allowance to staff as a way of motivation
9. Management to provide safe drinking water to all staff
10. Management to improve on housing, meal and education allowance
11. Management to establish salary advance scheme for all national staff
12. Management to pay overtime where it is applicable (Section 65(1) Employment Act).
13. Cost of living allowance to be added to their basic salary
14. Recognition of trade union rights without prejudice as provided for in Part Ill Section of the Employment Act No 15 – 2023.