The Opening Ceremony of the African Regional Labor Administration Centre (ARLAC) Committee of Senior Officials was held yesterday, October 8, 2024, at the Atlantic Hotel in Lumley, Freetown. The event marks the start of the annual gathering of labor leaders and senior officials from across Africa to foster cooperation on key labor issues.
Mr. Sinneh Bockarrie presided over the ceremony. He welcomed delegates and emphasized ARLAC’s role in promoting regional collaboration on labor policies. He also highlighted the committee’s efforts in shaping reforms that benefit workers across the continent.
Leadership Transition
The outgoing Chairperson, Mr. Moshe Masaase, Permanent Secretary of Labor and Employment for Lesotho, reflected on his tenure, noting achievements such as capacity-building initiatives and strengthening labor laws in member states. He expressed confidence in the incoming Chairperson, Mr. Joseph Tekmankanu of Sierra Leone, to continue driving labor reforms.
Mr. Tekmankanu, Permanent Secretary o
f Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Employment, Labor, and Social Security, took the mantle, pledging to enhance labor rights, address youth unemployment, and promote regional labor mobility.
Keynote Address
Representing Sierra Leone’s Minister of Employment, Labor, and Social Security, Mr. Mohamed Rahman Swaray, Hon. Rebecca Yei Sam delivered the keynote address. She highlighted the importance of collaboration among African nations in advancing labor reforms. “We must work together as African nations to ensure that our labor systems not only provide decent work for all but also protect workers’ rights,” she stated.
Ms. Philile N. Masuku, Director of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Country Office for Zimbabwe and Namibia, reiterated the need for regional collaboration in promoting labor rights while emphasizing the ILO’s commitment to supporting labor reforms and decent work initiatives across Africa.
Future Plans
In closing, Mr. Tekmankanu outlined plans for the upcoming year, including strengthenin
g labor inspection systems, enhancing regional cooperation on labor migration, investing in vocational training to reduce youth unemployment, and promoting gender equality in the workplace.
The ceremony ended with a shared commitment to advancing labor conditions and promoting sustainable regional development. The committee will now focus on developing actionable strategies to achieve these goals.
Source: Sierra Leone News Agency