The case involving the International Airlines (GIA) and Sulayman Bun Dawda Jobe and his two colleagues resumed on 3 July 2013, before Magistrate Jobarteh, chairman of the Kanifing Industrial Tribunal, and his panelists, Njie and Davies.
Sulayman Bun Dawda Jobe, who was testifying on behalf of his colleagues, told the tribunal he received other commendation letters from the GIA management.
The letters were shown to him by his counsel, E. Jah, which he identified.
Lawyer E. Jah then applied to tender the said letters and the defendant’s counsel, Kebba Sanyang, did not raise any objection.
The tribunal admitted the letters.
Mr Jobe adduced that he did not receive any warning letter prior to his dismissal, adding that he had a contract of employment with the defendant.
He said he was referring to the appointment letter as the contract of employment.
At this juncture, he was shown the appointment letter by his counsel, which he identified.
Lawyer E. Jah applied to tender the said letter to which the defendant’s counsel made no objection. The tribunal admitted the letter.
Jobe further posited that his appointment was terminable either by the GIA upon three months’ notice in writing or to receive three months’ salary.
He stated that the GIA management did not tell him anything about his pension and he did not receive anything for his pension, adding that he was claiming for unlawful dismissal and breach of contract.
“I have been with this company delivering good services to them for a very long time and I was treated badly. I worked hard for the company and all of a sudden they terminated my service overnight. They were ungrateful to me,” Mr Jobe told the tribunal, as he finished his testimony.
Under cross-examination, the defendant’s counsel, Kebba Sanyang, asked him when he started working for Gambia International Airlines.
He told the tribunal that he started working for Gambia Airways since 1983.
It was put to him by the defendant’s counsel that either party had the right to terminate the service.
In response, Mr Jobe said upon giving three month’s notice, either party had the right to terminate the service.
“When were you given a dismissal letter?” asked the defendant’s counsel.
“I was given a dismissal letter on 9 February 2011,” Jobe answered.
“You filed this suit against the defendant on 31 January 2013,” Kebba Sanyang put it to him.
“Yes, this is correct,” Jobe said.
“You said GIA did not pay anything to you. I put it to you that GIA paid your social security contribution up to your dismissal,” challenged the defendant’s counsel.
“Yes, they did. It was part of the appointment,” Mr Jobe told the tribunal.
“Yet you claimed for social security contribution,” Kebba Sanyang challenged him.
“Social security contribution could be part of my claim because the GIA wrote to me a dismissal letter,” Mr Jobe replied.
At this juncture, the case was adjourned for continuation of cross-examination.
