Alport Says Port Strike Follows Crackdown on Workplace Abuses

Published by: The Fatu Network

Port operations at the Port of Banjul came to a halt today after employees of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) embarked on a sit down strike over what they described as unresolved staff welfare concerns.

However, Alport Banjul has rejected the allegations, insisting that employees have been properly compensated and suggesting that the unrest is linked to reforms introduced since the company took over management of the port.

Responding to claims made by the GPA Staff Welfare Association, Alport said all employees had received proper compensation, including all entitlements owed before the takeover.

The company also rejected accusations that workers have been treated unfairly.

“I believe the staff are not being truthful about the situation,” said Tida Kanuteh, Alport Banjul’s communications officer.

“What they are discussing and the actual issue are not the same. All of this is occurring because the port is now under private management. In the past, employees could arrive at work at any time and leave whenever they wished. Some would not show up, yet they expected to be paid. There were numerous ghost workers when we arrived.”

Kanuteh said Alport has introduced measures aimed at closing loopholes and improving accountability within the system, adding that the company is continuing to address staff welfare matters.

Earlier, the President of the GPA Staff Welfare Association, Adama Jatta, said workers would not return to work until their demands were met.

According to Jatta, the dispute centres on efforts to transfer responsibility for staff welfare matters from Alport Banjul back to the GPA. The association also claims that both GPA and Alport have failed to comply with a directive issued by the Office of the President regarding the matter.

The strike brought activities at the country’s main seaport to a standstill, with no immediate indication of when operations will fully resume.