The
Gambia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Employers’ Association
(GCCI) in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and
Emanic Consulting Co. Ltd, has held the second batch of its two-set Training of
Trainers workshop on the ‘GCCI Employers’ Guide on the Labour Laws of The
Gambia’.
The
two-day workshop, held at the GCCI Secretariat/conference room on Wednesday and
Thursday (21 and 22 September 2016), was the second of two batches of
participants trained on the country’s labour laws.
Drawn
from trade unions, business associations and firms, GCCI Employers’ Committee
and the GCCI Business Development and Corporate Service personnel, the
participants, about 25 of them, like the previous batch, are expected to embark
on training other staff members of their companies, associations and firms on
the labour laws of The Gambia.
“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,” said GCCI Employers’ Committee Chairman Sulayman Joof, in his opening
remarks on the TOT workshop.
The
Guide, launched in May 2016 at the GCCI Secretariat, summarises the various
Acts (Women’s Act 2010, Labour Act 2007, the Social Security Act 2010, etc.)
that encompass employment laws of The Gambia applicable to businesses, the
public sector and all employees.
However,
to further ensure that the contents of the guide were implemented by employers
and as part of efforts to encourage compliance with workplace rules and
policies, the TOT was proposed by the GCCI and supported again by the ILO, Mr
Joof said.
“The
Training will prepare trainers towards sensitization and advocacy on 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.”
As
direct beneficiaries of the training, trainers are expected to train employees
of their respective institutions or associations on the lessons learnt and best
practices.
Mr
Joof also said as a monitoring and evaluation mechanism, the GCCI will conduct
consultative meetings or peer visits with trainers to generate feedback on the
aftermath of the training courses.
“GCCI
and its Employers’ Committee will continue to play is advocacy role, as well as
continue to organise sessions such as these for private sector businesses,” he
added.
Mr
Joof thanked the ILO office for the support rendered in organizing the
training, which he said “will be beneficial for employers as well as
employees”.
In
her remarks on the occasion, GCCI Business Development Director Sarata Conateh,
stated the importance of the training, saying it greatly enhances knowledge of
the labour laws of The Gambia, and understanding between employees and
employers.
In
his statement on the occasion, SamPierre Mendy of Emanic Consulting Co. Ltd
exphasised the importance and objectives of the training workshop, saying it
would improve competency and behavioural attitudes of participants.
He
also delivered several papers on the training which included employer/employee
cordial relations for a more effective private sector, and the Labour Act 2007
aspects that deal with industrial disputes – Legal Platforms of Dispute
Resolution Mechanisms and Processes, employers/employee rights and obligations.
“We
want to ensure the implementation of the Labour Laws Guide Book, as well as to
equip employers with the various Acts in the law,” said GCCI’s Director of
Corporate Services Beatrice Mboge, who chaired the sessions.
At
the end of the TOT workshop, all 25 participants were awarded certificates.
