Members of the Gambia Dock and Maritime Workers Union has refuted the declaration that they will go on strike on September 5th 2007, as proposed by the executive of the Gambia Dock and Maritime Workers Union.

The condemnation of the strike by the Gambia Dock and Maritime Workers Union members came, following a letter written by the executive of the union, signed by the Secretary-General of the Union, dated August 8th, 2007, to go on strike, and addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Department of State for Trade and Employment.

The copy of the same letter was also sent to the Secretary-General, Office of the President, Solicitor-General and Legal Secretary, Permanent Secretary, Department of State for Works, Construction and Infrastructure, Managing Director of the Gambia Ports Authority, Commissioner of Labour, Chairman of Ports Labour Board, Inspector-General of Police, Permanent Secretary, Department of State for the Interior, The Interpol and all the Shipping Agencies, respectively.

Condemning the declaration, Lang Balla Sawo, former President of the Gambia Dock and Maritime Workers Union, who walked into our offices yesterday, on behalf of the entire membership, said the proposed declaration by the so-called executive, under the Presidency of Malamin Ceesay, is false as they have no work force behind them.

According to him, there cannot be any strike as the executive of the union has no power or control over the Dock Workers. “A trade union body that has no work force behind it, cannot organise a strike,” he said.

Asked to explain the reason behind the proposed strike, Mr Sawo noted that it is all because, the executive did not accept the proposed changes made by the government to provide an employee for the Dock Workers-the Gambia Port Authority, which the Dock Workers see as a step in the right direction.

“So, the executive proposed this strike for their own interest which the workers did not agree. The workers are not going on strike, but it is proposed by the executive which the workers did not support. How can a trade union with no membership; and has lost control go on strike,” he asked.

According to him, “the provision by the government of an employee for the Dock Workers have been lacking 40 years ago and the workers has been yearning for that. Due to this positive step by the government, the executive proposed this illegal strike to destabilise the country. Currently 99% of the Dock Workers have received their severance package from GPA and have appended their signatures to approve the proposed changes by the government. So only the executive proposed to go on strike and not the members. Now that, we the Dock Workers realised that the so-called executive were just misleading and misrepresenting us because of the misinformation they have given to the workers at the earlier stage before the changes. We know that, they are only working for their interest and not for the interest of the Dock Workers.  So the truth has now come to light and the Dock workers accept the changes, but still the executive are insisting,” he said.

He then called on the Dock Workers not to participate in the strike, and noted that they will fail.

Mr. Sawo then expressed delight to the government for the positive move in finding an employee for the Dock Workers. He also appealed to the government to also intervene to enable the Gambia Ports Authority to absorb all the remaining Dock Workers that are below 60 years.