COUNTRY REPORT ON SIERRA LEONE

Transcription

1 COUNTRY REPORT ON SIERRA LEONE Sierra Leone Labour Congress Sierra Leone is situated along the West Coast of Africa and shares boundaries with Liberia on the South and Guinea on the North. The area of Sierra Leone measures 27,923 sq mls (73,326 sq. kms). It has a population of over 4.9 million (2004 Census) with enormous potential for development with regards the exploit of its vast mineral resources. This potential has unfortunately not been fully exploited. Sierra Leone is endowed with substantial mineral wealth (Diamond, Rutile, Bauxite and Iron Ore) a varied agriculture resources (Cocoa, Coffee, Piassava, Ginger, Palm kernel etc) base with good potential for raising yields and rich fisheries. Social Conditions Government budgetary allocation in favour of Social amenities is reported to have been growing in the past four years. In 2012, allocations for the Health and Education sectors amount to 6.8% and 8.5% respectively of the government total budget. The outline below provides an insight into the prevailing social conditions in the country: Education: The Educational system is based on a six years basic primary, three years junior secondary, three years senior secondary and four years university or higher education ( System). The schools infrastructures are inadequate and the majority of the educational institutions are poorly equipped. The pupil teacher ratio is high and this makes the learning environment to a great extent not conducive and un-enabling for effective teaching/learning. The terms and conditions of employment for teachers are poor, leading to massive brain drain from the teaching profession much to the detriment of desired quality educational growth and positive child development. Health: The government is currently implementing a free health care for pregnant women, children under five and lactating mothers. Discussions are currently on for the establishment of a social health insurance scheme, in extension to social security coverage generally. Generally there are indications of an erosion of medical professionalism and commitment, given the persistently poor conditions of service of medics and support staff Though there has been general rehabilitation of hospitals and medical centers by Government, medical treatment even in the public hospitals and health centers is exorbitant and unaffordable to the masses. The national prevalent rate of HIV/AIDS is below 5%, according to recent findings. The fight against this dreadful disease is being intensified by government and other stakeholders, that includes the Sierra Leone Labour Congress 1

2 Social cohesion and dynamics There are about 14 ethnic groups in Sierra Leone with little or no tribal or ethnic conflicts This is an attribute largely due to the positive influence of inter-tribal/ethnic marriages, religious/moral teachings/upbringings that places premium on tolerance and oneness of society. Lending impetus to this is the use of Creole as the lingua franca in Sierra Leone. Economic Situation The Sierra Leone economy continues the toddle out of major declines in the economy suffered as a result of a prolonged war, compounded by the recent credit crunch. Disruptions in major economic activities that included agriculture, fishing, mining and industrial operations have now almost been overcome and almost all sectors are currently reactivated and up and running The national currency - the Leone is weak and trading at progressively very low rate against the US dollar and other major currencies. This in part may be due the unstable nature of trends in the inflation rate due to internal and external pressures. A recent Country Self Assessment Study by the APRM reveals that inflation remained high during most part of 2011 with a peak of 17.8% in May. Following prudent fiscal and proactive monetary policy implementation by government, inflationary pressures subsided and inflation currently stands at 15.7% Despite the fore-going, it is reported that economic growth rebounded to 5.0% in 2010 from 3.2% in 2009, all exceeding performance averages of set for sub Saharan Africa. Notwithstanding this, the following are currently prevalent; The national minimum wage of twenty-one thousand Leones (Le 21,000) per month i.e. less than US$ 5 is grossly inadequate vis-à-vis the cost of living in the country. Over 2/3 of the population live below the poverty line and the country has for many years been rated as one of the poorest and least developed country in the world according to the UNDP Human Development Index Report. There is widespread corruption in the country and the government has therefore established the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to arrest corruption. Foreign investment is gradually improving in the country. The major economic policies and programmes of the Government are trade liberalization, privatization of state owned services and enterprises, public sector reform, withdrawal of subsidies on essential services and commodities, poverty alleviation under the PRSP and the promotion of the principles of NEPAD. Under the privatization project, the Government has appointed a Privatization Commission and plans are underway to privatize the some public entities owned by Government. Political Situation The country is under a multiparty constitutional system of government. 2

3 The opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) won the Presidential Elections in 2007 and its flag bearer is the current President of Republic of Sierra Leone. There are three major political parties in parliament following the conclusion of the parliamentary elections, with the All Peoples Congress (APC) being the majority party and ruling party, whilst the Sierra Leone Peoples party (SLPP, the former ruling party) and the People Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) are the minority parties. Preparations for the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections by November 2012 are far advanced by the National Electoral Commission. Voter Registration has commenced and currently on-going, though in its early stages. The general security situation in the country as a whole has improved considerably although a strong undercurrent of political party differences. There is still low rate of women and youth representation in decision-making bodies despite the progress that has been made in the recent past. Human Rights Situation The Fundamental Human Rights are guaranteed under the law but, the application of these laws leaves much to be desired. By an Act of Parliament, the National Commission on Human Rights was established and currently active.. The human rights situation in the country generally has improved. The judiciary is not independent given that it suffers serious political interference and manipulation and this unfortunate situation often than not worsens the process of seeking redress over violations of rights. Trade Union Situation Trade Union Rights Trade union rights are to a great extent respected as the 8 core ILO Conventions have so far been ratified by the Government of Sierra Leone. There is increase in the practice of casual, contract and temporary employment under which terms workers rights are frequently violated. The phenomenon of child labour and child abuse generally is widespread in Sierra Leone despite the promotion of the policy of free primary education by the Government. The problem of addressing outdated labour laws persists. Trade Union and National Politics Trade Unions in Sierra Leone have no political ambitions. However, Trade Unions have been very active in ensuring the existence and maintenance of Good Governance. 3

4 Union Specifics State of the Trade Union Movement The membership of unions especially in the public sector continues to drop due to the implementation of the Structural Reform Programmes. The present financial state of majority of trade unions remains increasingly precarious with the increasing privatization of government. There is much to be done if unions are to achieve financial independence in the long term. A large proportion of the actively working population is engaged either in the informal sector (petty trading) or in the rural areas engaged in farming. The labour laws are obsolete and are under review. There is a National Social Security and Insurance Trust Act that covers all employed persons in the country and the NUCS continues to represent the Civil Service on the Board of Trustees. Trade Group Negotiations continue to be mainstay of improvement of working conditions of members of unions. The National Union of Civil Servants recently acquired its Bargaining Certificate and processes are almost complete at the Accountant General s Department for the deduction of membership dues. It is expected that Collective Bargaining will commence in a very near future. Divisional wage/salary disparities begin to exist and in contravention of the principle of equal pay for equal value of work. NCC members continue in their membership organizing strides. Challenges National Leadership understanding of and consultation on issues of public service reform. Unions limited knowledge and inexperience on setting efficient pay structures. Stirring membership commitment to and pro-activeness on union building union solidarity of purpose Labour Law Review Inflation/Low Wages/High Living Costs Corruption 4

5 External Sector Pay Disparities Public Sector Reform Continuation of Social Dialogue OHS Non Exclusive Trade Group Council/Independent Bargaining Internal Continuation of Membership Recruitment Setting up of Regional and other union Structures Lack of bargaining Skills/knowledge Leadership Training in /Exposure in the area of Collective Bargaining 5