At
least seven staffs of the Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA) were Friday
fired by the director general Zainab Jallow for filing a petition against her.
This
decision came following last week Wednesday’s press conference organised by the
staffs who were demanding better working conditions.
Recall:
Last year, a greater percentage of the authority’s staff filed a petitioned to
their board against Zainab but the board through their independent panel said
they have limited powers over DG Zainab Jallow.
Staff
members requested the findings made by the independent panel, but it proved
futile prior to the staged press conference on Wednesday.
Last
week, a letter signed by Bai Dadou Jallow, director of Scientific Affairs of
FSQA, indicated that 22 staffs have been sent on administrative leave without
pay.
The
Food Safety and Quality Authority of The Gambia was established by Food and
Safety Act 2011. It is the sole authority with powers to control food and feed
in the country.
In
the staffs’ petition letter, they mentioned that “Anyone who stands for truth
is either sacked or frustrated to resign.”
DG
Zainab is travelling to the USA today (Monday) along with Bai Dodou Jallow and
Mary Johnson.
It
would be also recalled that on September 20, 2019 one of the Food Safety staff
Abdul Hakim Jawara who resigned from the Authority was arrested by the Kotu
police.
