By Lamin Rogers
Serious concerns have emerged at the British High Commission (BHC) in Sierra Leone, where local staff say have been denied their full entitlements, ignored when they raise concerns, and subjected to an unfair work environment. While the UK regularly promotes human rights, fairness, and good governance, its own diplomatic mission in Sierra Leone has failed to comply with local labour laws, leaving its Country-Based Staff (CBS) feeling exploited and undervalued.
For over four years, the BHC has refused to pay its CBS employees the full 30% leave allowance required by Sierra Leonean law under the October 2020 Gazette (VOL. CXLXI NO, 65), instead capping it at just 11.5% – far below the legal minimum. In 2021, the Ministry of Labour confirmed to the Mission that the laws relating to payment of allowances, including leave allowance found in the September and October 2020 Gazettes, applies to all employers in Sierra Leone, including the BHC; yet the Mission has refused to fully comply.
Our sources tell us that CBS employees have repeatedly raised concerns, but their complaints have been brushed aside or dismissed. Most alarmingly, some employees who recently left the organisation were denied their full entitlements, including backlogged salary increments, despite still being in service when the decision to make the increments was made.
What makes matters worse is that when the government introduced new withholding tax rules for Diplomatic Missions recently, the BHC has acted immediately, ensuring that deductions will be implemented as soon as April. However, when it comes to paying its own workers their legal entitlements, there are excuses, complete indifference and even threats to slash the workforce.
The hypocrisy is glaring. While Sierra Leonean employees are forced to fight for their rights, British staff at the Mission enjoy free housing, hardship allowances, travel perks, and financial support for their spouses and partners.
“If this happened in the UK, there would be public outrage,” said a frustrated staff member. “Why do they think they can treat us like this in our own country?”
Instead of taking responsibility, the BHC has consistently hidden behind diplomatic immunity and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shielding itself from accountability. The Mission uses Sierra Leone’s 800 Leones minimum wage as an excuse, arguing that it is already paying above the legal wage floor, even though the law requires a 30% leave allowance in addition to wages.
Beyond financial injustice, staff describe a workplace culture poisoned by bullying, harassment, and discrimination. The issue became so serious that the BHC was forced to organise culture training sessions for an entire week in 2023, a sign that management is aware of the problem. But training alone is not enough; employees still feel unheard, undervalued, and afraid to speak up.
“The culture here is broken,” said one employee. “We are constantly reminded that we are not equals and that the UK has no duty of care for us. No matter how hard we work, no matter how long we serve, we are always made to feel less.”
Reports indicate that CBS employees are now demanding immediate payment of the full 30% leave allowance, including all back pay from October 2020. They also want a public commitment from the BHC to fully comply with Sierra Leonean labour laws and treat local employees with the same respect given to UK-based staff.
This is about more than just unpaid entitlements – it is about fairness, dignity, and whether a foreign diplomatic mission can openly disregard the rights of Sierra Leonean workers, even when the Government has created laws to protect workers.
The British High Commission must decide whether it will uphold the values it promotes and respect the employment laws of Sierra Leone or continue hiding behind flimsy excuses to mistreat its own workers.
The world is watching. Will the BHC do the right thing?