With support from Voluntary Service Overseas, the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has validated Sierra Leon’s first National Volunteering Policy, at the Family Kingdom Resort in Freetown.
The validation follows a week-long regional needs assessment and consultative exercise, which captured the views and ideas of stakeholders (Volunteers and Volunteer-Involving-Organizations–VIOs) to form key components of the policy document. This Policy is meant to set the framework for the engagement of volunteers and volunteerism in the country.
It will also support the role of volunteers and VIOs towards national development.
In his keynote address at the validation event on Thursday, the Deputy Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mr Lansana Mohamed Dumbuya, pointed out the importance of volunteerism, noting that the Government has even identified it as a strategic tool for sustainable development. This recognition, he stated, is articulated in the Government’s Medium Term National Development Plan 2024-2030. He reiterated that the document will provide the policy framework to support the role of Volunteers and VIOs in their efforts to contribute to national development. The Deputy Minister applauded the MInistry’s social partners, the Volunteer-Involving-Organisations Network(VIO-NET), and the VSO for standing by the Ministry of Labour throughout the processes of the Policy development.
“Volunteers play a crucial role in shaping our world, and their work deserves recognition and appreciation,” he stated. He urged employers and employees to heed the provisions of the document to make the workspace safe and dignified for everyone.
VSO’s Project Implementation Lead, Mr. Stephen Alex Fomba, stated that they were particularly pleased about the Policy because it will guide the VSO’s processes as well as that of other VIOs, and recalled that his organization had no hesitations when it came to providing the financial support for the policy, because “VSO’s work cannot be completed without the involvement of volunteers, they are at the centre of our workforce.”
He admonished employers and core staff of organizations to treat volunteers with respect and dignity, noting that “they have the same rights as any other person.” “Most of us started as volunteers, that is why we must provide maximum support to them so that they can grow,” Mr Fomba stated. He said that the policy will set clear definitions and responsibilities for volunteers and VIOs. The VSO boss pledged full commitment to honouring the provision of the Policy. The Ministry’s tripartite partners–the Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation and the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, both applauded the Ministry’s efforts in developing a policy on volunteerism. They equally pledged continuous support to ensure that the purpose of the policy document is achieved.
