Shyben A. Madi & Sons has been dragged to the Kanifing Industrial Tribunal by one Ida Suso-Faye, claiming D9, 325,000 for damages, salary, social security and leave up to retirement.
Shyben A. Madi & Sons was represented by lawyer Anna Njie, while Ebrima Garba Cham, the Secretary General of the Gambia Workers’ Union, represented the plaintiff.
Ida Suso-Faye is claiming that after applying for a job at Shyben A. Madi & Sons, she was offered a consultant’s job during the period 9 July 2009 to 26 August 2009.
The plaintiff claimed that on 1st October 2009, she was appointed as an Accountant at the Kanifing Office, adding that her appointment was confirmed on 20 April 2010.
The plaintiff further claimed that she was paid D10, 000 per month.
She said in her claim that on 20 May 2010, she was given a letter of appreciation and a token sum of D5000.
The plaintiff claimed that between September and December 2010, the MVD manager started harassing her frequently as a result of her pregnancy.
The plaintiff stated in her claim that the company approved her maternity leave from 27 December 2010 to 26 June 2011.
Ida Suso-Faye added that during her maternity leave, the defendant pre-meditated sacking her and her position was advertised in the local newspapers.
She indicated that she was harassed at the work place by shouting at her, and asking her if she was pregnant and whether she was going on maternity leave and by by-passing her and giving assignments to her deputy on a daily basis.
She went on to claim that when she resumed from maternity leave, the defendant alleged that she stole, after so many efforts by the defendant to frustrate her.
The plaintiff revealed that when the defendant conducted an investigation, it was found that the plaintiff’s hands were clean and clear, but requested the plaintiff to write a report against her assistant, adding that she resigned from the job by giving the defendant notice as stated in her appointment letter.
The plaintiff had claimed that the reason for her claim was due to constructive dismissal, stating further that she was issued a suspension letter a day before she finished serving her notice.
Ida Suso-Faye claimed that the defendant deprived her of getting a new appointment when she resigned by denying her a recommendation letter requested by the new employer, stating further that the Labour Department intervened for the plaintiff to be issued a recommendation letter, but to no avail.
The case was adjourned to 30 January 2012.
