In what many described as one of his strongest statements ever, the majority leader in the National Assembly and member for Serrekunda East, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, has issued a warning to employers in the country that the National Assembly will not sit back and see Gambian employees being treated as slaves, nor will it accept employees going against the dictates of their employers.
Hon. Jatta, who was speaking Wednesday as debate on the Appropriation Bill 2011 wrapped up, at the National Assembly, also warned that all those who live in this country must abide by the laws governing the country.
“We will not sit back to see Gambians being treated, denied or taken as slaves nor will we also allow Gambians to look for employment and be employed and would not go by the dictates of the employer,” he told deputies at the National Assembly.
According to him, the National Assembly will not tolerate employers who will employ without paying their employees provident fund contribution, without issuing a letter of employment and following all other provisions of the country’s labour law.
“We will equally not tolerate employees who think they are Gambians and would do what they want against the laws governing their employer, and think they will go scot-free,” he said, adding that after the Assembly recess, various committees would continue to work, especially on the issue of employer-employee relations and landlord-tenant relations.
In his view, the Rent Decree which has been transformed into the Rent Tribunal by the National Assembly clearly stipulates the relationship between landlords and tenants and the rent offices and tribunals.
“But these things are not adhered to, especially by landlords some of whom unilaterally increase the rent and said ‘If you cannot do it, you get out’,” Hon. Jatta added.
He noted that the law states that it is the responsibility of the Rent Office and the Tribunal to get all properties to be registered, and it is their responsibility to go and inspect properties and then come out with the rent to be paid, adding that there cannot be any increase in rent unless value is added.
