The Senate has requested its committees on internal affairs and governance, ways, means, finance and budget to investigate labor-related irregularities affecting local officials, specifically in Gbarpolu County.
The senate’s action was triggered by a communication from Senator Botoe Kanneh of the county.
In her letter dated June 23, 2025, Sen. Kanneh informed the plenary that for over 12 months, a considerable number of local officials, primarily administrative officers and civil servants stationed in rural counties have not received their monthly salaries.
These individuals, she said, continue to serve “diligently under extremely difficult conditions, playing crucial roles in maintaining peace, order, and the rule of law in remote counties. Despite their commitment, they have been largely neglected and left uncompensated by the central government.”
Sen. Kanneh, according to a release, spoke of alarming reports that she said, in some instances, individuals received salaries as low as US$65 per month; a figure, she described as not only grossly inadequate, but also in violation of the country’s Decent Work Act.
She described the situation as a form of “labor exploitation that must be urgently addressed through legislative intervention and oversight.”
According to Sen, Kanneh, local officials are the backbone of governance and stability in our rural counties.
“To allow them to work without pay for such an extended period, or to underpay them grossly, Kanneh said, “is not only a violation of labor rights, but a fundamental governance failure.”
In light of these critical issues, she recommended that the senate mandates a full legislative inquiry into the matter.
She called on the senate committees on internal affairs to ensure that the civil service agency and finance appear and provide clarification regarding the salary delays, irregularities and overall conditions of service for local government workers across the affected counties.
Following her deliberations, the senate plenary overwhelmingly endorsed the recommendation and agreed that the joint committees on internal affairs, governance, ways, means and finance investigate and submit a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations within two weeks.