May
Day is celebrated worldwide on May 1st each year and The Gambia is no exception
in observing this all-important day and occasion.
Thousands
of workers from all over the country gathered yesterday at the Independence
Stadium in Bakau to observe the day.
The workers organised a tug of war, a symposium and a musical jamboree in
commemoration of the day.
Others
workers, as in other countries around the world seized the opportunity to
demand for better working condition and service at the workplace.
Other
workers even took to the streets to protest for increment of their wages and
salaries.
Speaking
at the celebration, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Henry Gomez, said the
road leading to this day has been rough.
Minister
Gomez further congratulated the Gambian workers who are ready to act as agents
of change in the struggle to develop the new Gambia.
He
said The Gambia has witnessed some difficult times that have a direct impact on
the people’s daily lives and urged all and sundry to use the opportunity wisely
and make new friends no matter where they work, which tribe they come from or
what political party they belong to.
“We
will agree that without peace and stability in The Gambia, we will find it very
difficult to achieve the development we want for ourselves and our country,” he
said. “Therefore, it is important we use platforms like this one to preach
peace, tolerance, understanding, forgiveness and reconciliation.”
Speaking
on the occasion, the secretary general of the Gambia National Trade Union,
Ebrima Garba Cham, congratulated all workers for their immense contribution to
the socio-economic development of the nation.
Cham
said May-Day celebration is not only for festivities but also an occasion that
provides the opportunity for sober-reflection and “the renewal of our adherence
to the principles upon which the international accords and protocols are
premised”.
He
noted that an environment conducive for work goes beyond the demands for
adequate remuneration and ideal working conditions.
“It
requires unity of purpose, among and between workers and employers, in the
protection and promotion of various interests,” he said.
Mr
Cham stressed that The Gambia National Trade Union Congress is alive to the
reality of poor working conditions, exploitation of employees, unlawful and or unfair
terminations, irregular employment contracts, unpaid claims as a result of
industrial accidents and unreported cases requiring compensation.
