NASSIT Secures Future of Private and Informal Sector Workers
In a groundbreaking move to expand social security coverage, Sierra Leone’s Parliament has unanimously approved the country’s very first Social Protection Bill, marking a significant milestone for private and informal sector workers.
This new legislation sets up a robust legal framework under the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, with the goal of filling the gaps in current social protection programs and improving coordination between public and private sectors. A key feature of the bill is the establishment of a Social Protection Authority, which will oversee the Social Protection Breadbasket—a dedicated fund aimed at supporting various social protection initiatives. This authority is designed to streamline efforts, boost efficiency, and ensure that social protection measures effectively reach those who need them most.
For the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), this legislation offers the essential legal foundation to extend its services to the informal sector, which makes up about 92% of Sierra Leone’s working population. NASSIT Director General Mohamed Fuaad Daboh has been a driving force behind this initiative, seeking global support and working alongside the International Labour Organization (ILO) to create a sustainable Informal Sector Pension Scheme.
The proposed scheme features flexible contributions and an easy registration process, aiming to give informal workers access to benefits for old age, disability, and survivors. An actuarial valuation report, developed with ILO assistance, has evaluated the financial viability and sustainability of the scheme, representing a major step forward in NASSIT’s mission to integrate workers from informal industries into the social security system.
Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security Mohamed Rahman Swaray has voiced strong support for this initiative, emphasizing its importance for the future of workers in Sierra Leone.