Ansumana Sanneh, who was employed by Little Star Company,
has sued his former employer at the Kanifing Industrial Tribunal for wrongful
termination of his service.
Testifying before Magistrate Dawda Jallow, Sanneh told the tribunal that he lives at Talinding and was employed by the defendant.
He posited that he was working for the defendant as a boiler operator, adding that he started work in 2009 and was issued with an appointment letter.
Garba Cham, who represented him, applied to tender the said letter which was admitted by the tribunal.
Still testifying, Sanneh adduced that when he was employed by the defendant, one Fansu was working with the boiler machine.
He stated that after he left, one Assan Manga was employed to operate the machine.
Sanneh further told the tribunal that before the feast of Tobaski, the defendant called the work committee and told them he wanted to see them.
His boss or defendant sent him out of his office and told him that he was the one causing him problems, he said.
He testified that he had a meeting with his colleagues and the defendant told him that if he did not go out, he would not tell them why he called them.
He went out with his sister, he said, adding that he was told that the defendant told his colleagues that he should be removed as chairman of the committee.
He testified further that he was told that the defendant told his colleagues that he would give them one-by-six for the feast.
Sanneh added that he left and came back on 30 November 2012, to report for work, and he was on duty until 2pm.
The supervisor told him the defendant had another machine, and that he was removed from his position, he stated.
He asked what he had done to warrant his removal from the machine, he said, adding that the supervisor said he did not know, and that he should work as a labourer.
He stated that he told the supervisor that he was not employed as a labourer and decided not to take up the position, adding that he asked the supervisor if he could see the defendant but the defendant said he did not want to see him.
He told the supervisor to ask the defendant to write to him and tell him why he had moved him to another position, he said.
On another occasion, he said, he went to work but the supervisor told him the defendant had asked him to tell him (the plaintiff) to leave the machine, adding that he was asked to get inside to work as a labourer but he refused.
He said the defendant brought one Hendry Kujabi, an electrician, to replace him. He added that he was at work until 5pm and when he finished work, he went to sign out but he was marked absent.
The case was adjourned till 21 January 2013.
