GPA urges striking workers back to work as presidency steps in

In an internal letter addressed to the President of the Alport Staff Association and signed by Capt. Kulay Manneh on behalf of the Managing Director, GPA management described the workers’ sit-down strike as an abrupt action with serious consequences for national economic activities. The letter revealed that the Presidency had dispatched the Minister of Public Service, Administrative Reforms, Policy Coordination and Delivery, Babucarr Boye, alongside the Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, Alieu Njie, to engage GPA management following the work stoppage. As part of efforts to resolve the impasse, a high-level meeting has been scheduled for Saturday at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre. The talks are expected to bring together Cabinet members, GPA management and representatives of Alport Banjul to discuss the concerns raised by workers and chart a way forward. However, management has urged employees to return to work before the negotiations take place. The letter called on union leaders to encourage all operational staff to resume their duties immediately, stressing that doing so would be in the national interest. Management’s appeal comes against the backdrop of mounting fears over the impact of the strike on The Gambia’s economy. In its communication to workers, GPA management referenced both the intervention of the Presidency and the challenges posed by the current global economic environment, arguing that prolonged disruption of port activities could have far-reaching consequences for the country. The Port of Banjul serves as The Gambia’s primary maritime gateway and handles the vast majority of imports and exports entering and leaving the country. Any extended shutdown is likely to affect supply chains, customs revenue collection, business operations and the movement of essential goods. The disruption has already triggered concerns among government officials and members of the business community who rely on the port...