The
Gambia Teacher’s Union and Network of Mission Teachers have ended their
sit-down strike which was staged in pursuance of monies persistently being
deducted from their salaries since September 2019, representing savings and
loan repayments with the Catholic Education Secretariat Credit Union, GTU
Cooperative Credit Union, ELAC and the GTU.
The
sit-down strike was sanctioned on Monday 9 March 2020.
The
said money amounted to over seven million dalasi (D7M) but does not include the
amount due and owing to ELAC at the moment.
Essa
Sowe, deputy general secretary, Gambia Teacher’s Union explained that the GTU
confirmed receipt of D7.2M on Friday 13th March 2020 being money paid by the
Central Bank of The Gambia to the GTUCCU account lodged with the Standard
Chartered Bank.
He
added that upon receipt of the alert, the GTU leadership summoned an emergency
debriefing session at the GTU Secretariat the same day to inform
representatives of affected teachers as well as chart the way forward.
Mr.
Sowe said they visited the Catholic Education Secretariat, engaged PS, Ministry
of Basic and Secondary Education as well as the secretary general and head of
Civil Service to ensure that they pursue and get the money, but due to failure
of getting assurances from relevant authorities, they were left with no choice
but to support the sit-down strike.
Baboucarr O. Joof, general manager, Gambia
Teacher’s Union Cooperative Credit Union, said they received the D7.2 million
on Friday evening and the Catholic Education Secretariat received their portion
of their money on Saturday morning.
“As
I speak all the monies owed to Catholic Education Secretariat teachers at GTU,
GTUCCU, CESCCU levels have been adequately catered for and paid to CESCCU
account”, Mr. Joof said.
He
expressed gratitude to government and all stakeholders who were involved in
trying to resolve the matter. He also thanked parents and families of children
whose education was disrupted.
The
GTU and Network of Mission Teachers urged teachers to immediately halt the
strike and return to work today, Monday.
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