| National organization(s) | SLLC |
|---|---|
| Regulatory authority | Ministry of Labour and Social Security |
| Primary legislation | Employment Act 2023 |
| Total union membership | 354,747(2022)[1] |
| Trade union density | 13%(2022)[1] |
| Global Rights Index | |
4 Systematic violations of rights | |
| International Labour Organization | |
| Sierra Leone is a member of the ILO | |
| Convention ratification | |
| Freedom of Association | 15 June 1961 |
| Right to Organise | 13 June 1961 |
Trade unions in Sierra Leone first emerged in the period around World War I, with reports indicating that civil servants organised unions as early as 1912.[2] The Railway Workers Union was founded in 1919.[3] In the late 1930s, trade unions affiliated to theYouth League formed the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to coordinate actions within the labour movement.[4] In 1940, trade unions were legalised.[5] In 1946tripartite bargaining councils were established that incorporated trade unions for minimum wage andsectoral bargaining with employers.[6] TheSierra Leone Labour Congress (SLLC) was founded in 1976. Although the country'scivil war at the end of the 20th Century had a devastating effect on the labour movement,[7] unions played an important role in nonviolent resistance, launching a national strike in the immediate aftermath of the 1997 coup by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council.[8] Since the end of the civil war, trade unionism in the informal sector has grown.[9]
| Members | CBAs | CBA coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artisans Public Works of Services Employees Union | 2,600 | 6 | 12,000 |
| Clerical Banking Insurance Accounting Petroleum Union | 3,010 | 7 | 15,000 |
| Construction Workers Union | 2,500 | 1 | 8,000 |
| Electricity Employees Union | 2,200 | 1 | 20,000 |
| Hotel Food Drinks Tobacco Entertainment Workers Unions | 580 | 2 | 14,000 |
| Union of Mass Media, Financial Institutions, Chemical Industries & General Workers | 1,500 | 2 | 13,000 |
| Maritime & Waterfront Workers Union | 1,500 | 2 | 13,000 |
| Municipal & General Government Employees Union | 1,000 | 2 | 3,000 |
| National Union of Civil Servants | 1,500 | 1 | 8,000 |
| National Union of Forestry & Agricultural Workers | 1,500 | 3 | 8,000 |
| Sierra Leone Fishermen's Union | 1,600 | 1 | 3,000 |
| Sierra Leone Dockworkers Union | 1,500 | 1 | 4,000 |
| Sierra Leone Health Services Union | 4,000 | 1 | 16,000 |
| Sierra Leone National Seamen's Union | 1,550 | 1 | 1,500 |
| Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union | 36,000 | 1 | 40,000 |
| Sierra Leone Union of Postal & Telecommuncations Employees Union | 1,054 | 1 | 2,500 |
| Sierra Leone Reporter Union | 450 | – | – |
| Sierra Leone Union of Security, Watchmen & General Workers | 3,200 | 2 | 5,000 |
| Skilled & Manual Productive Workers Union | 810 | 4 | 1,300 |
| United Mine Workers Union | 1,602 | 1 | 6,000 |
| Union of Railway Plantation, Minerals, Industry & Construction | 300 | 1 | 1,000 |
| Sierra Leone Port Authority Senior Staff Association | 82 | – | – |
| Members | CBAs | CBA coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indigenous Petty Traders Association | 55,000 | – | – |
| Indigenous Photographers’ Union | 1,000 | – | – |
| Sierra Leone Artisanal Fishermen's Union | 17,106 | – | – |
| Sierra Leone Traders Union | 105,000 | – | – |
| Sierra Leone Musicians Union | 500 | – | – |
| Sierra Leone Bike Riders Union | 120,000 | – | – |
| Motor Drivers & General Transport Workers Union | 50,000 | 1 | 1,000 |
| Union of Timber Factory Owners & Workers | 1,237 | – | – |
| Sierra Leone Commercial Tricycle Riders Union | 700 | – | – |
| Sierra Leone Technicians Union | 700 | – | – |
| Home and General Workers Union | 1,500 | – | – |
| Omolankay Whellbarrow & Porters Union | 1,000 | – | – |
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