By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Labour and Social Security has directed IPT PowerTech and its contractors to resolve a labour dispute involving former and current workers who have alleged unfair termination, blacklisting, poor working conditions and non-payment of employment benefits.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Billo Shaw, said Parliament had intervened to establish the facts surrounding the workers’ complaints and determine whether the actions taken by the companies were consistent with Sierra Leone’s labour laws.
Presenting their case before the Committee, former NOC operators, IPT Power Tech Josiah S. Kamara alleged that they were terminated after raising concerns with the Ministry of Employment and the Commissioner of Labour. They further alleged that some workers were subsequently blacklisted from securing employment with other companies operating on the same project.
The workers argued that their termination violated provisions of the Employment Act 2023, particularly protections relating to workers who lodge legitimate complaints against employers. They also claimed that several workers had remained on probation beyond the statutory six-month period without receiving appropriate confirmation or contracts.
Other allegations included working between 12 and 14 hours a day without overtime payments, unsafe field conditions, inadequate allowances and failure to properly address workplace injuries.
One worker, James, told the Committee that he was employed by a subcontractor but was allegedly removed from his job after his employer was instructed that he had been “blacklisted” from the IPT project.
The Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees, Edward Y. Kamara, also told the Committee that he had raised concerns with IPT PowerTech over the alleged blacklisting, arguing that workers should not be prevented from seeking employment elsewhere without lawful justification.
However, IPT PowerTech Director Sameh Ragab disputed some of the allegations. He said the workers were employed by contractors rather than directly by IPT and maintained that the company had raised concerns about performance and recruitment procedures.
Ragab said IPT had not imposed a nationwide blacklist, but had instructed contractors not to re-engage certain workers on the same project. He also acknowledged concerns surrounding overtime, leave and management of workers by contractors.
He said IPT had supported an injured worker by covering medical expenses and maintained that the company had repeatedly instructed its contractors to comply with employment requirements.
Following the submissions, the Committee directed that IPT PowerTech, the affected workers and relevant contractors should engage to resolve their differences.
The Committee further directed the Ministry of Labour and the Commissioner of Labour to examine the matter, verify workers’ entitlements and determine compensation or other benefits due in accordance with Sierra Leone’s labour laws.
The Committee said a formal recommendation would be communicated to the relevant authorities, with the Labour Ministry and Commission expected to report back to Parliament on the outcome of their intervention.
