Speaking at the occasion of 2024 workers’ day celebration in Banjul, Mr. Joof said: “I want to reaffirm that the government of H.E. Adama Barrow is commitment to the welfare of workers and employers alike. We consider these two the critical agents of development in any economy.”
May Day, also call International Workers' Day is a day of celebration and reckoning by highlighting struggle for the achievements made in securing workers' rights and the ongoing challenges faced by workers globally.
However, he said there is a need for Gambians to reaffirm their commitment to not only job creation but ensuring that these jobs are decent, sustainable, and contribute to the broader socio-economic growth of The Gambia.
“Our efforts to attract foreign direct investment, coupled with our commitment to ratifying and implementing global treaties on labour, underscore our resolve to improve every Gambian's quality of life through meaningful employment,” he added.
In this regard, he said the government has intensified its efforts to relaunch discussion on the determination of a national minimum wage by reconstituting the five Joint Industrial Council (JIC) and additional two new JIC. The new JICs, he said are domestic workers and hotels and hospitality industry.
“The government is currently reviewing a number of its legislative instruments such as the Factory Act, the Injury Compensation Act, and the Trade Union,” he added.
He informed that reviewing the legal document aimed to enhancing the welfare of workers and ensuring effective functioning of the labour market.
On socio-economic development, he said The Gambia government is dedicated to transforming the country’s economy to generate opportunities that will uplift the citizens through enhanced employment prospects.
He said the transformation is particularly focused on industries such as agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, which are vital for the country's economic diversification and industrial advancement.
In line with this year's theme, he said the government has recognised the imperative to transition labour from less productive sectors to those that are more dynamic and technologically advanced, fostering a labour market that is innovative and responsive to the needs of a rapidly evolving global economy.
“It is our aim to facilitate this shift by promoting industrialisation and value addition, particularly in sectors that are labour-intensive and have lower capital requirements, thereby creating ample employment opportunities for our burgeoning youth demographic.”
He said the government’s approach in providing decent employment includes creating an enabling environment for private sector to flourish.
“It is through public-private partnerships and a robust, supportive legislative framework that sustainable employment is most effectively generated,” he said.
