BY: Zacharia Jalloh, Strategic Communications Unit MIC.
What has been a long week of wrangling and war of words between the Union of Postal and Telecommunications employees and the Management of Sierratel, has been amicably resolved by the Minister of Information and Communications Honourable Mohamed Rahman Swaray today Thursday 26th August 2021 at the Wallace Johnson Street headquarters of Sierratel.
At a meeting held yesterday Wednesday, August 25, at the Ministry of Information and Communications where both parties presented their concerns, the Honourable Minister promised to visit the Sierratel office to mediate between the parties and resolve the issues, and he duly obliged today Thursday, August 26.
In a frank and open discussion but very fruitful, the timely intervention of the Honourable Minister saved the day and prompted the swift payment of the two months outstanding salaries (June/July) by the Management of Sierratel to affected staff. Other issues like leave allowance were also addressed, and a commitment to pay 70% of the backlog for 2020 has been made.
The workers were also keen on the working environment such as improved; sanitation, obsolete technology and uniforms for staff and made a case for it to be addressed, which Management has promised solidly to improve.
Minister Swaray admonished the Management of Sierratel to build a solid working relationship with the employees. He reaffirmed the commitment of His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio who is a champion of Human Capital Development to the welfare of all Sierra Leoneans and urged the Management of Sierratel to work in that direction in ensuring that the welfare of the staff is improved for effective service delivery.
The Minister was accompanied by his Deputy Mr Solomon Jamiru and representatives of the National Commission for Privatization.