Gamtel/Gamcel social plan sparks outcry as laid-off staff decry unpaid benefits

The affected workers, drawn from both permanent and contract categories, say the implementation of the social plan has left hundreds in uncertainty, financial distress, and without access to entitlements they were promised and formally signed.

Speaking on behalf of concerned staff, Demba Njie said the social plan has particularly disadvantaged workers aged 45 years and above, as well as those retired earlier under the programme.

“Since the inception of this social plan, staff aged 45 and above were asked to retire voluntarily. Others were retired even before reaching 45, after serving eight months, yet they are now told they will not benefit from Social Security,” Njie said.

He described the situation as deeply troubling, stressing that access to Social Security is a key part of workers’ livelihoods.

“This is very important to us. We have tried engaging management, but nothing positive has come out of it,” he added.

Njie further revealed that about 350 staff classified as contract workers are yet to receive their packages, despite assurances that they would be paid using the same formula applied to earlier batches.

“They were clearly told they are contract staff, but they must still be paid equally gross salary multiplied by two times the number of years served. Up to now, they have not been paid and have not signed any consent form. Instead, they were verbally told to continue working until payment is made. This is unlawful,” he said.

Another affected worker, Sulayman Peters, narrated the plight of staff posted to provincial areas, many of whom remain stranded months after exiting the company.

According to Peters, staffs were compelled to sign consent forms under strict conditions during the nationwide exercise conducted by the outsourcing team.

“We were told the first batch would sign, the second, third, and fourth batches would follow. If anyone refused, the company would not take responsibility. Under that pressure, we agreed in good faith,” he explained.

Peters said the consent form included a D10,000 relocation allowance, meant to help outgoing staff return to their family homes after receiving their severance packages through their banks.

“That allowance was clearly stated and signed for. But after the process collapsed, the payment was never made,” he said.

As a result, many former staff remain in the provinces with their families and belongings, unable to relocate due to financial constraints.

“For months now, some of us cannot pay rent. Living in provincial and remote areas is expensive. We are struggling, yet this allowance was meant to help us adjust,” Peters lamented.

Peters said inquiries at the Gamtel payroll office yielded no clarity, with officials reportedly saying the Social Plan Project only submits names to the ministry and does not control payments.

“Up to now, no one has come out to explain the status of this D10,000 payment. They pretend to be unconscious of our problems,” he said.

He stressed that the project was financed by the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure, making the delay unacceptable.

“This is not a favour. It is an agreement we signed in good faith. What is owed must be paid. Keeping us waiting for this long is totally unacceptable,” Peters said, describing the situation as a violation of workers’ rights.

The affected staff are now appealing to Gamtel–Gamcel management, the supervising ministry, and relevant authorities to honour the signed agreements and resolve the outstanding payments without further delay.

“We are conscious of our problems. We only want what we signed for and what we are entitled to,” Peters concluded.