By: Alimatu Kargbo
The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has temporarily banned the recruitment of Sierra Leoneans travelling through Guinea for overseas employment following the discovery of alleged forged documents and irregular recruitment activities.
Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Umaru Napoleon Koroma Esq., made the disclosure during the Government’s Weekly Press and Civic Engagement.
Minister Koroma said the decision followed an incident involving young Sierra Leoneans who were preparing to travel to Dubai for employment.
According to the Minister, the group was found with documents presented as being from the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Subsequent checks, he said, confirmed that the documents were fake.
He further disclosed that investigations also uncovered recruitment activities involving organisations with expired, suspended or cancelled licences.
The Minister said the matter had been referred to the police for investigation, with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) taking over the case.
As a temporary measure, the Ministry issued a press statement dated September 11, 2026, banning the recruitment of Sierra Leoneans travelling through the Republic of Guinea for overseas employment.
Minister Koroma said recruiters affected by the ban had been invited to the ministry and informed of the government’s decision.
He said the ban would remain in place while the ministry reviews the recruitment process and establishes clearer rules and regulations for agencies operating in the sector.
The Minister stressed that overseas employment could provide dignified opportunities for Sierra Leoneans if properly managed, but warned that illegal recruitment could expose citizens to exploitation and inhumane treatment.
He said the ministry’s objective is to ensure that Sierra Leoneans who travel abroad for employment leave the country with dignity, work in dignity and return home in dignity.
The Minister also said government wants to expand legitimate overseas employment opportunities beyond low-skilled jobs to include professionals such as lawyers, scientists, medical doctors and nurses through properly coordinated arrangements with other countries.
