GAMTUB, UNISON officials pay courtesy call on NA Speaker

The purpose of the visit was to discuss issues of national interest as well as brief the Speaker on UNISON contribution to national development.

Kebba Masanneh Ceesay, the Chairman of The Gambia Trade Union Bureau (GAMTUB) said the meeting will build strong bi-laterals between the two institutions.

Ceesay informed Speaker Jatta of the valuable contribution made by UNISON in the health and education sectors of The Gambia.

The GAMTUB Chairman appealed to Trade Unions to have a worker representative at the National Assembly who will talk about workers’ issues, especially the Labour Act, Trade Union Bills and the ILO Convention 87 and 94 to guarantee and safeguard workers fundamental rights.

 He also informed the Speaker about the Worker newspaper which is published by GAMTUB and freely circulated.

Wendy Nicols, the Conveyor of UNISON Yorkshire/Hummerside, a UK Labour Party Mayor, Member of the Labour Party Executive and former Chairperson of the British Labour Party Executive Committee highlighted their technical and administrative assistance to GAMTUB in ensuring they build a viable Trade Union Centre encompassing all Unions that will ensure workers effectively becoming key partners to the development of New Gambia.

Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Speaker of the National Assembly of The Gambia commended both GAMTUB and UNISON for their efforts in contributing to the development of The Gambia.

 Hon Speaker Jatta explained how elections are held in The Gambia, using the marble instead of paper balloting. He assured GAMTUB of his availability to listen to their suggestions for the good of the country.

He also expressed Government’s committed to the rule of law, transparency, accountability as well as the promotion of peace and development.

After the meeting, the delegation was taken on a conducted tour of the National Assembly facilities.

The UNISON delegation included Wendy Nicols, Maureen Le Marinel, a senior member of UNISON and Jim Bell, International Project Coordinator for UNISON.