Freetown, 18th September, 2026 — The Government of Sierra Leone has met with senior officials of public tertiary institutions to address the strike action announced by the Union of Academic Staff Association (UASA).
The meeting, convened by the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, brought together Chancellors, Vice Chancellors, Principals, Registrars, and representatives from the Wages and Compensation Commission (WCC), the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, and the Sierra Leone Labour Congress.
Deputy Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Sarjoh Aziz Kamara, said the engagement was meant to brief university leaders on government’s negotiations with UASA and to discuss measures to safeguard the smooth functioning of tertiary institutions.
Director of Compensation at WCC, Jeremiah B. Ademokula, explained that the Commission had conducted a technical assessment of UASA’s salary demands and submitted its findings to the Ministry of Finance on September 11. He noted that government currently covers about 83 percent of university staff salaries, with institutions contributing the remaining 17 percent. The next stage, he said, requires joint engagement between the Ministry of Finance, WCC, the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, and UASA.
WCC Chief Executive Officer, David W. S. Banya, described the strike notice as unexpected, given that earlier correspondence with the Ministry of Finance had been encouraging. He stressed the importance of maintaining administrative continuity to avoid delays in negotiations.
Deputy Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Lansana M. Dumbuya, urged all parties to rely on dialogue and established mechanisms rather than industrial action. He emphasised that salary negotiations now fall under the mandate of the WCC, while his ministry provides oversight and mediation.
Secretary of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, Marx Conteh, acknowledged the growing demand for improved wages but encouraged continued negotiations to prevent disruption in the education sector.
Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Dr. Ramatulai Wurie, reaffirmed government’s commitment to transparency and dialogue. She explained that UASA initially demanded a 500 percent salary increase, later reducing it to 100 percent. While conditions of service were referred to university councils, the salary component was directed to WCC for negotiation.
Dr. Wurie noted that although lecturers are employed by their respective councils, government has paid the majority of their salaries since 2018/2019. She expressed concern that UASA proceeded with industrial action while negotiations were still ongoing, citing Section 64(3) of the Industrial Relations and Trade Union Act, 2023, which requires adherence to due process.
The Minister stressed that government remains committed to resolving the outstanding issues within the framework of law, dialogue, and fiscal responsibility.
