The
Medical Research Council Workers’ Union (MRCWU) Monday held its biennial
congress at the MRC grounds in Fajara.
Lamin Bojang, chairman of the union, said the congress provided an opportunity to reflect on ways to strengthen and deepen fraternity within the MRCWU and the wider MRC family.
He said as trade unionists, they are strongly supportive of the determination to deliver industrial justice, improve welfare and healthcare, adding that the MRCWU and MRC management have collectively done so much in these areas.
Mr Bojang thanked the MRC management for allocating the union a budget that takes care of kilometre charges, accommodation for the union’s field station visits and congress activities.
Professor Umberto d’Alessandro, director of MRC Unit Gambia, said the unit has a long standing reputation of delivering productive and quality policy changing researches within the areas of malaria and vaccine.
He noted that of recent, the unit has an excellent track record of securing international competitive awards based on exciting science.
Kathy Hill, human resources manager of MRC, said at MRC, they do not unfairly discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, colour, religion, tribe, gender, age and marital status when it comes to staff recruitment and employment.
She said between January and December 2015, at least 260 staff were recruited for various posts of at unit.
As of December 2015, MRC has employed 1,135 locally, 96 per cent of whom are Gambians.Female staff constitute 28 per cent of the unit’s work force.
The human resources manager of MRC said they are looking at how to increase the number of women working for the unit.
She said the unit is committed to working constructively with the union in improving staff welfare.
Meanwhile, Lamin Bojang was re-elected chairman, board of directors of the MRC WU.
Other elected members of the board are Salifu Sambou, 1st vice chairman; Kukuta Kandeh, 2nd vice chairman; Kabira Darboe, chief shop steward; Momodou Cox, secretary general; Sarjo Manneh, treasurer; Lamin Bojang, 1 transport; Ansumana Darboe, auditor; Yusupha Bah, hepatitis; Musa Colley, clinical; Oumie Secka, laboratories; Sariba Jammeh, IT Department; Yaya Minteh, Keneba representative, and Lady Chilel Sanyang, Basse representative.
In the interim, Bansang will be meeting to elect their representative into the board.
