By: Zacharia Jalloh, Strategic Communications Unit, MIC.
As part of his supervisory role, the Minister of Information and Communications Honourable Mohamed Rahman Swaray has intervened in the Sierratel conundrum. The Minister brought together the Managing Director of Sierratel Mr. Prince Bio and the Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees Mr Edward Y. Kamara at the Ministry of Information and Communications Youyi Building today, Wednesday 25th August 2021 to discuss issues that led to the 21 days ultimatum issued by the above mentioned Union.
It could be recalled that, the Sierra Leone Union of Postal and Telecommunications employees had issued a 21 day ultimatum to the management of Sierratel to resolve their concerns or they will embark on industrial action.
Amongst their concerns are but not limited to non payments of allowances, 2 months salary backlog and others. The Union wants these issues to be resolved within the 21 days time frame.
The Managing Director if Sierratel on his part highlighted series of challenges which according to him are sometimes emanating from the staff themselves.
The Secretary General of the Union Mr. Edward Kamara denied all claims and urged the Managing Director to address their concerns.
After listening to both parties, Minister Swarray encouraged both parties to simmer down and promised to resolve the Union’s concerns. The Minister has arranged another final meeting tomorrow Thursday 26th August 2021 that should include the junior staff of Sierratel to find a lasting solution to their problems.
