By Hassan Solokoh Bockarie
Sierra Leone has hosted the 52nd Governing Council Meeting of the African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) alongside a High-Level Symposium on Advancing Decent Work in the Platform Economy, bringing together senior labour administrators and policymakers from across Africa.
The high-level gathering, organised by the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, commenced on 11 March 2026 at the Mamba Point, Lagoonda Hotel in Freetown.
The meeting attracted Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Directors-General, Chief Directors, and senior labour officials from ARLAC’s member states who convened to discuss emerging labour trends, particularly the rapid expansion of digital and platform-based employment across the continent.
Delivering his statement, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, who also doubled as Chairman of the occasion, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, welcomed delegates and described the symposium as timely given the rapid transformation of global labour markets driven by digital platforms.
“It is with great honour and anticipation that I welcome you to this High-Level Symposium convened by ARLAC. We gather here in Sierra Leone at a pivotal moment for our region and for the world of work,” the Minister stated.
He explained that the platform economy, characterised by digital labour platforms that connect workers to jobs through mobile applications and online interfaces, is rapidly reshaping employment relationships worldwide.
“The platform economy has introduced new forms of employment, reshaped labour relations, and challenged traditional regulatory frameworks,” Swaray noted, adding that Africa is already experiencing these changes with significant implications for employment, social protection, and inclusive development.
Across Africa, digital platforms are expanding rapidly in sectors such as transport, e-commerce, domestic services and financial technology. Ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Bolt now operate in more than 20 African countries, while online marketplaces such as Jumia and Takealot are transforming access to goods and services.
Mobile money platforms, particularly M‑Pesa, have also revolutionised financial inclusion across parts of the continent, while digital freelancing platforms are creating new income opportunities for young people and professionals.
However, the Minister cautioned that the rise of the digital economy has also exposed workers to vulnerabilities.
“Many platform workers are classified as independent contractors, which often excludes them from basic labour protections such as minimum wage guarantees, social protection, sick leave and collective bargaining rights,” he said.
He further highlighted concerns over algorithmic management, where workers are subject to automated rating systems and digital surveillance that can influence job opportunities and income stability.
According to Swaray, existing labour laws in many African countries have not fully adapted to the realities of digital work, leaving regulatory gaps that could expose workers to exploitation.
“Platforms operate across borders, yet labour protections remain nationally defined. This creates regulatory vacuums and uneven standards,” he emphasised.
He urged labour administrators and policymakers to anticipate these challenges and respond with “clarity, coherence and courage.”
The symposium aims to strengthen the capacity of ARLAC member states to understand and regulate the evolving platform economy while ensuring that innovation leads to decent work opportunities.
“This symposium is not only about analysis; it is about action,” Swaray stressed. “By working together, we will shape a shared African position that reflects our values of inclusivity, fairness and solidarity.”
Discussions at the Freetown symposium are expected to contribute to Africa’s collective voice ahead of the International Labour Conference in June 2026, where the global community will debate the future of work and the regulation of platform-based employment.
“By equipping ourselves now with strategic insights and a unified regional perspective, we will enter those global debates ready to contribute informed and impactful positions that reflect Africa’s priorities and realities,” the Minister said.
As an intergovernmental organisation, ARLAC is mandated to strengthen labour administration systems across African countries through training, research, advisory services and policy support. The centre forms part of a wider network of regional labour administration institutions, including the Centre Régional Africain d’Administration du Travail (CRADAT) in Cameroon and the Arab Centre for Labour Administration and Employment (ACLAE) in Tunisia.
Sierra Leone’s hosting of the continental event highlights the country’s growing role in labour governance and its commitment to advancing decent work standards across Africa.
The symposium also features keynote contributions from experts representing the African Union Commission, International Trade Union Confederation – Africa, International Organisation of Employers (Africa Region), and South Africa’s Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
Delegates are expected to conclude the meeting with policy recommendations aimed at strengthening labour governance and ensuring that Africa’s rapidly expanding digital economy delivers fair and inclusive opportunities for workers across the continent.
