Sierra Leone, Guinea Strengthen Cooperation on Safe Labour Migration

Sierra Leone and the Republic of Guinea announced a new phase of cooperation aimed at safeguarding labour migration and protecting workers, with a particular focus on creating safe, orderly and lawful pathways for Sierra Leonean citizens seeking employment in Arab states.

The initiative was discussed during an official visit to Conakry on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, when Sierra Leone’s Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, joined a delegation led by Guinea’s Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh.

Minister Koroma highlighted the growing concerns over illegal recruitment networks that operate along the migration corridor between the two countries. He stressed that stronger bilateral cooperation would be essential to identify unlawful practices, improve oversight and protect Sierra Leonean citizens from exploitation, human trafficking and other abuses associated with unregulated migration.

“Labour migration should not be viewed only as a challenge,” Koroma said. “When properly regulated, it can provide opportunities for economic empowerment, skills development, decent employment and improved livelihoods for workers and their families.” He called for a transparent and accountable framework that would coordinate the relevant institutions of both governments.

The discussions also underscored Guinea’s role as a major transit country for Sierra Leoneans traveling to the Arab world. Both sides agreed to explore measures that would ensure migrants receive accurate information, possess the required documentation and are recruited through recognised and lawful channels before beginning their journeys.

Under the proposed cooperation, the two governments plan to strengthen the exchange of information between labour and immigration authorities, improve monitoring of recruitment agencies and support efforts to dismantle trafficking and illegal recruitment networks.

For Sierra Leone, the engagement is part of a broader national commitment to promoting decent work, protecting migrant workers and managing international labour mobility responsibly. The initiative is seen as an important step toward a coordinated regional response that could help both countries promote lawful workforce mobility, prevent exploitation and improve protection for citizens pursuing employment opportunities outside West Africa.

The meeting also reinforced the longstanding diplomatic, economic and people‑to‑people relations between Sierra Leone and Guinea, signalling a shared commitment to protecting the rights, safety and dignity of migrant workers.

Article and image source: thecalabashnewspaper.com