“MOVING INTO THE INFORMAL SECTOR: THE ROLE OF THE PRESS
Statement delivered by SLAJ Vice President, Sahr James Bangah
Mr. Chairman, Director General NASSIT, Distinguished guest and colleagues, Good Morning.
On behalf the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), I want to congratulate the leadership of NASSIT and his team for their brilliant move to organize a day session for media practitioners on the Theme “MOVING INTO THE INFORMAL SECTOR: THE ROLE OF THE PRESS.
Thirty-five years ago, the International Labour Organization coined the term “the informal sector” to describe the activities of the working poor. Today, this sector accounts for nearly half of all workers in the world and it is expanding in both developing and industrialized countries and play a major role in employment creation, production and income generation but unfortunately most of the informal workers do not have secure employment contracts, workers benefits, social protection or workers representation but thanked God for the media sector, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) the Independent Media Commission (IMC) and the government of Sierra Leone brought in a relief for practicing Journalists through the IMC Act.
The rationale behind establishing NASSIT under Act No. 5. 2001, to administer a social security and insurance trust especially for the aged and to reduce the potential retirement poverty in the homes of these retired employees
In view of the above, Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) is with the conviction that the Mission and Vision of the National Social Security scheme that provides financial security to all employees in Sierra Leone in the form of old age, Invalidity and survivors’ benefits based on social insurance principles serves as a collateral for Sierra Leone economic growth.
The Press gives hope, protection and security to the poor and downtrodden in society. We therefore believe that any institution that works to protect the poor is a cardinal partner to the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ). So, our presence here today underscores that bond of partnership and common focus.
We are here for a purpose and we must fulfil it.
Thanks and may God bless us all.
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