NASSIT Presents Progress Report on the Informal Sector to Labour Ministry
By Abdul Rahman Bah
As part of its effort in supporting the development aspirations of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) has on Tuesday, 6th August 2024, presented a status report on the informal sector scheme project to the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security.
This colourful ceremony took place at the Radisson Blu, Aberdeen, in Freetown.
Presenting the status report on the Informal Sector, the Director General of NASSIT, Mohamed Fuaad Daboh, expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Labour for improving the lives of the people in the country. He emphasized NASSIT’s responsibility to ensure citizens registered with the NASSIT scheme, adding that, the act provides voluntary opportunities for the informal sector workers. Mr Fuaad also stressed the need to create a separate scheme for the informal sector, which would cover the largest portion of the sector.
Receiving the report, the Minister of Labour Employment, and Social Security Mr. Mohamed Rahman Sawaray, lauded the efforts of NASSIT in putting the document together, adding that, it is a great opportunity for the ministry to receive the informal sector status report. He highlighted that only 9% of the working population is covered by the formal sector, emphasizing the importance of NASSIT leading the charge to ensure the legacy project of President Julius Maada Bio is realized soon. Mr. Rahman Sawaray also mentioned broaching the subject with the Director General of NASSIT during the 100th session of the Labor in Geneva, as the DG had briefed him on the matter.
Cyril Jalloh, the Coordinator of the Informal Sector, stated that the informal sector was designed to attract citizens. He pointed out that since the operationalization of NASSIT in 2002, it has been a serious challenge for the scheme to reach those who are not mandated to join. He also mentioned that initially, individuals in the informal sector had to contribute for 15 years to become members.
