The
Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with International
Labour Organisation, yesterday commenced a two-day workshop on GCCI Employers’
Guide on the Labour Laws of The Gambia.
Held
at the GCCI Secretariat in Bijilo, the training of trainers (ToT) on The
Gambia’s labour laws brought together
participants from the private sector, including commercial banks,
insurance companies, IT service providers and other micro, small and medium
enterprises, business associations, trade unions, GCCI Employers’ Committee, among others.
“This
particular training is the first of two batches of training,” said GCCI
Employers’ Committee chairman Sulayman Joof, in his opening remarks on the
occasion.
The training course will prepare trainers
towards sensitization and advocacy on behalf of labour/Industrial relations
within the private sector, and also equip trainers on the various Acts and how
they should be in congruence with workplace policy.
“You
as direct beneficiaries of this training are expected to train employees of
your respective institutions or associations on the lessons learnt and best
practices,” Mr Joof said.
“I
hope that this training will be a very interactive session, and I also
encourage you to share your experiences as it relates to topics being
discussed.”
He
said GCCI, as a monitoring and evaluation mechanism, will conduct consultative
meetings or peer visits with trainers to generate feedback on the aftermath of
the training.
He
added: “GCCI and its Employers’ Committee will continue to play its advocacy
role, as well as continue to organise sessions such as these for private sector
businesses.
Mr
Joof commended the ILO office for the support rendered in organizing the
training course, which “I believe will be beneficial for employers as well as
employees”.
The
GCCI Employers’ Guide on the Labour Laws of The Gambia was developed by GCCI in
collaboration with the International Labour Organisation and through the
engagement of the services of Emanic Consulting Company.
The
Guide, which was launched in May 2016 at the GCCI Secretariat, summarizes the
various Acts (Women’s Act 2010, Labour Act 2007, the Social Security Act 2010,
etc.) that encompass the employment laws of The Gambia “applicable to
businesses, the public sector and all employees”.
“However
to further ensure that the contents of the guide are implemented by Employers
and as part of efforts to encourage workplace rules and policies, this TOT was
proposed by the GCCI and supported again by the ILO,” Mr Joof.
In
his welcome remarks, GCCI CEO Alieu Secka said the Chamber will continue to
provide essential services to its members, including services pertaining to
industrial and labour matters.
He
appealed to the participants to make the best use of the training course to be
able to effectively pass on the knowledge and benefits to others.
GCCI’s
Director of Corporate Services Beatrice Mboge, who chaired the function, advised
the participants to fully cooperate with the resource persons of the training
course. Sampeire Mendy, a management consultant of Emanic Consulting Co Ltd, is
one of the resource persons.
