Employers sensitised on SSHFC's schemes

Twelve employers from ten institutions within KMC and Western Region last week Thursday gathered at the SSHFC's conference room for a daylong sensitisation workshop on Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation's new and existing rules and regulations governing their schemes.

In his brief speech to the participants, the Director of Operations at SSHFC, Mr. Gabriel Mendy thanked all the participants for their turn-out to the sensitisation workshop. Mr. Mendy said the purpose of the workshop was to discuss with the participants SSHFC's new and existing rules, schemes and regulations. He said forums of this nature would help his corporation to know what step to take in their corporation services to the people, promising that this will not be the end of the workshop for their partners.

In presenting his paper on the topic "Industrial Compensation-Injuries Fund IICF," Mr. Ebrima Dampha said in June 1990, the government of The Gambia had passed into law the injuries Compensation Act that replaces the Workman's Compensation Act of 1940."

He said it was not until in July 1996 that the new scheme was formally launched introducing a social insurance scheme for protection against employment injury.

Mr. Dampha said the Act establishing the Industrial Injuries Compensation Scheme applies to all employees and workers in government, public enterprises, local government authorities and private sector, while the Industrial Injuries Compensation Act does not apply to casual workers on piece meal contract, domestic workers, members of employer's family dwelling in employer's house and out-workers. 

Mr. Dampha emphasised that the Labour Department has a very important role to play in IICF and urged them to make sure that the working conditions of workers are conducive. He said they should also inspect work sites to ensure safety and prevention of accidents and diseases at workplace.                                  

During the sensitisation workshop, the facilitators dealt with the following topics (Benefit) on Federated Pension Fund, (Contribution) on National Provident Fund and Housing Finance Fund.

Mr. Sich Gassama, the Administrator of NEA delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the participants, while Mr. Sulayman Nyass, the Assistant Public Relations Manager of SSHFC made the closing remarks.

The participants were drawn from the National Road Authority, ICB, Right Choice Supermarket, NEA, Gam Petroleum, Kairaba Beach Hotel, GIA, BAC, GIPFZA and The Point Newspaper.