The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) and the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security are working together to strengthen legal protections for seafarers. They aim to incorporate the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006, into Sierra Leone's national laws. This collaboration follows a meeting between the two institutions to discuss the incorporation of the Convention into the country's legal framework and improvement of standards for seafarers' welfare and working conditions.
SLMA Deputy Executive Director Emmanuel B.A. Lansana highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize the institution's legal framework, established under the 2000 Act. He also mentioned reforms to the Merchant Shipping Act, 2026, which was passed by Parliament in June and received presidential assent on September 3, 2026. The revised legislation incorporates provisions from key international maritime conventions, including aspects of the MLC.
Lansana emphasized the importance of a dedicated MLC Act to ensure the Convention's provisions are fully incorporated into domestic law. He reaffirmed the SLMA's commitment to working with the Ministry and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to advance the process. This move aims to address seafarers' employment conditions, welfare, and rights in line with international labour standards.
The Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the Ministry's readiness to support efforts to strengthen labour standards and protect seafarers' rights and welfare. Koroma proposed establishing a joint committee to coordinate the process, engage technical experts, and develop a clear implementation plan.
Both institutions agreed to share the proposed concept note and hold a follow-up meeting to advance the work ahead of ILO engagements scheduled for June 2027. This collaboration is intended to enhance the welfare and working conditions of seafarers in Sierra Leone. The SLMA and the Ministry are committed to working together to achieve this goal.
The proposed domestication of the MLC is expected to have a positive impact on seafarers in Sierra Leone. By incorporating the Convention into domestic law, the country can ensure that seafarers' rights and welfare are protected in line with international standards. This move is also expected to improve Sierra Leone's maritime governance practices.
The SLMA and the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security will continue to work together to advance the process of domesticating the MLC. Their efforts aim to strengthen legal protections for seafarers and improve standards for their welfare and working conditions.
Key points
- SLMA and Labour Ministry collaborate to domesticate Maritime Labour Convention for enhanced seafarer protections
- Proposed domestication aims to address seafarers' employment conditions, welfare, and rights in line with international labour standards
- Joint committee to be established to coordinate the process, engage technical experts, and develop a clear implementation plan
