Mr Ceesay made this statement on Wednesday at the GAMTUB Head office in Kanifing as part of events marking International Labour Day.
He said as a union, they are very much concerned about“this very important Bill which is still not been enacted due to administrative delay”, adding that they hope the Government would take the necessary steps and actions to take the bill to the finishing line.
Touching on revising wages for workers, Cessay said Trade Unions are alsoconcerned about the absence of a Revised Minimum Wage Bill, adding that some employers “are taking this opportunity to cheat on workers by paying very low wages, which is automatically not good for workers”, hence the need to call for a meeting of the Combined JIC for setting of the minimum wage once and for all.
The GAMTUB Chair also urges government to seriously consider Ratification of Convention 190, a landmark convention adopted on the centenary of the ILO concerning the elimination of harassment and violence in the place of work.
This convention recognises the right of everyone to a world of work, free from violence, including gender based violence and harassment.
According to him, ILO Convention 87 Freedom of Association and the right to Organized Labour has been part of the review of the 2007 Labour Act.
During the review, he said labour representatives stated categorically that The Gambia should be in full compliance with ILO Convention 87, which guarantees all workers including public servants the fundamental human right to organize, associate and belong to unions
“We encourage the Government to take active part in all, particularly in the Annual International Labour Conferences where conventions and recommendations are discussed and adopted,” Ceesay appealed, saying:
“As labour representatives, we best personify the hopes of the Gambian People in our quest that working men and women of this country are treated with dignity and receive a fair share of the growing economic cake.”
