By Emmanuel Mbowa
Freetown, 2nd February 2026– Workers at Sierratel are expressing deep frustration over Le326 million in unpaid salaries and unsettled staff liabilities, despite a presidential directive issued months ago to resolve the state-owned telecom company’s financial crisis.
“Following an advocacy letter sent by Abdul Fatoma, Executive Director of the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI), to the Office of the President, President Bio issued a directive on August 4, 2025,” said Foday Barrie, Sierratel’s Coordinator of Access Network. “He instructed the Ministries of Communication and Labour to take the necessary steps to put the matter at Sierratel to rest.”
According to Lansana Papa Kamara, an IT technician, trade unionist, and executive member of the Sierratel Union, both ministries calculated the total staff liabilities, including salary backlogs, leave allowances, medical benefits, and Labour Ministry increments at over Le326 million. “We haven’t heard anything from them since the file was sent to the Ministry of Finance,” Kamara told Truth Media.
Sierratel has been in crisis since 2022, with stalled efforts to transition into a private entity. Workers and retirees say 23 months of unpaid salaries have devastated their families and personal wellbeing. “Every day we are losing colleagues,” Barrie said. “Staff members are facing homelessness and critical medical conditions because there is no medical support, let alone our unpaid salaries.”
Kamara added that the company’s workforce has shrunk dramatically. “We used to have over 400 staff members. Many have resigned or left the country. The number of active staff has dropped due to medical challenges, poor working conditions, depression, and trauma.”
Lilian Koroma, a Customer Care Representative and single parent, said she has gone 18 months without pay. “The government mandates a 30 percent quota for women, but we don’t see the benefits at Sierratel. My child is in university, and I can’t afford tuition unless I ask family members for help,” she said. “Feeding my family is a massive challenge. Worst of all, I can no longer afford rent, I’m not even living under my own roof.”
Mohamed Badamasie Cole, former Head of Media and Public Relations, said more than 30 retirees are still waiting for their dues. “I have six months of unpaid salary and over two years of unsettled leave and other benefits. We submitted a formal letter to management, but they ignored us. The Finance Department told us it’s the government’s responsibility to pay. We need them to clear these backlogs we are highly constrained as retirees.”
While the Ministry of Finance has yet to disburse the funds outlined in the staff welfare summary, workers and retirees are now pleading with President Bio to personally monitor the process. They say communication between the line ministry, the Sierratel Board, and the Interim Management has broken down.
Truth Media made several attempts to reach the Minister of Communication, the Sierratel Board, and the Interim Chairman for comment, but those efforts were unsuccessful. We will continue to follow this story as new developments emerge.
