Management of Sierra Rutile paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, to congratulate him on his appointment and discuss labour issues affecting the company’s operations.
The delegation, led by Sierra Rutile Chief Executive Officer Lima Sufian-Kargbo, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to working collaboratively with the Ministry. Talks covered local content compliance, redundancy, and end-of-service benefits.
Mr Sufian-Kargbo discussed the challenges of managing employment across Sierra Rutile’s operations in Area One and Area Five. He said it was important to balance the company’s needs for workers with job opportunities for residents of both communities.
The chief executive also expressed concern about a redundancy exercise carried out in May, which affected 14 managers. The exercise involved voluntary and compulsory redundancies.
Minister Koroma said the government was still committed to ensuring a balanced relationship between employers and employees. He underlined the need for both groups to create a sustainable labour environment.
The matter before the court concerned end-of-service benefits for the affected managers, the Minister said. He said the Ministry had asked the Attorney General’s Office for advice on interpreting the relevant legal provisions.
Mr Koroma also spoke about ongoing discussions between the Ministry, the Employers’ Federation, and the Labour Congress on implementing Section 25 of the Employment Act. He said both organisations have been tasked with devising a practical approach to compliance.
The Minister assured the Sierra Rutile delegation that the Ministry will continue to facilitate dialogue and collaboration between employers and workers. The Ministry is committed to the effective implementation of labour laws protecting workers’ rights, while supporting employers and encouraging job creation,” he said.
The visit allowed the company and the Ministry to discuss their shared responsibilities and the employment issues arising from Sierra Rutile’s operations.
