 |
| Trade Minister Kebba Touray |
By Lamin Jahateh
Workers who may be aggrieved on account of bad
working conditions, paltry remuneration and other genuine concerns should do an
exhaustive negotiation and dialogue before going to court, the Minister of Trade,
Regional Integration and Employment has said.
Hon. Kebba Touray said any worker who feels hurt,
aggrieved by deplorable working conditions and exploitative remuneration or any
employment related issued should realize that social dialogue is a primary option
for redress rather than taking industrial action, going to court. Social dialogue is a tripartite discussion of
government representative, the employer and the aggrieved employee.
“Industrial action should be last resort,” the Trade
Minister said in a statement read on his behalf by Mass Axi Gaye, Minister of
Fisheries and Water Resources, on Wednesday during
the Workers’ Day commemoration held at the July 22nd Square in
Banjul.
May 1st is commemorated
worldwide as Workers’ Day also known as May Day.
The Trade Minister’s comment came at a time when the
industrial tribunals in the country are inundated with cases of unfair
dismissal and other employment related matters.
Almost on daily basis, newspapers in the country publish court cases on
employment matters going on at the court.
However, the Trade Minister said social dialogue,
involving the relevant parties - the government, employers and workers -
substantially aids amicable resolutions of industrial disputes if it is
underpinned by good faith, work ethics, and professionalism.
On the contrary, he said industrial action, going to
court, tends to complicate and aggravate matters, resulting in high costs,
particularly in terms of output and income losses.
