By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
Dockworkers at the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) are raising alarm over significant payment deductions for container handling implemented by Alport Banjul, a subsidiary of the Turkish Albayrak Group, without consultation or approval from the Dockworkers Union. The controversy, emerging just months after a 30-year concession agreement between the Gambia government and Albayrak, has sparked concerns about breaches of existing labor agreements and the livelihoods of dockworkers.
Saikou Colley, Vice President of the Dockworkers Union, confirmed to The Alkamba Times (TAT) that Alport has reduced payments for handling containers, disregarding the collective bargaining agreement established with the GPA in 2019. “When GPA entered the concession with Albayrak, we were assured that our existing agreements would remain binding and honored by Alport,” Colley stated. “To our disappointment, Alport has dishonored these agreements by slashing payments for containers, cutting our wages by nearly 50% within three months of their takeover.”
Under the previous system, a 40-foot container was counted as two units for payment purposes, while a 20-foot container was counted as one. Alport has reversed this practice, now paying for 40-foot containers as a single unit, without consulting the union or considering the impact on workers’ earnings. “This change has slashed our earnings by nearly half, leaving many of us in financial disarray,” said Abubacarr Jammeh, a dockworker at the port. “We’re calling on the authorities to engage Alport immediately to avoid disruptions to port operations.”
Jammeh highlighted the severe financial strain on workers, noting that earnings have plummeted from an average of D10,000 to D15,000 per worker to as low as D5,000 to D7,000. “This is a big blow, especially with schools about to reopen,” he said. “The new pricing seems designed to suppress our earnings and discourage us from working at the port.” He urged the Ministry of Works, GPA, and Albayrak to address the issue promptly to prevent further unrest.
The concession agreement, signed on July 11, 2024, and effective from February 14, 2025, grants Alport Banjul an 80% stake in managing the Port of Banjul, with the Gambia government retaining 20%. The deal, valued at over €600 million, includes modernizing Banjul Port, constructing a new deep-sea port in Sanyang, and developing inland facilities in Kaur and Basse. GPA Managing Director Ousman Jobarteh previously described the agreement as a landmark investment to enhance Gambia’s maritime Infrastructure. However, the current dispute has cast a shadow over these promises.
Dockworkers fear that Alport’s actions could lead to broader operational challenges. “The situation has raised serious concerns among us,” Jammeh added. “If this continues, it could affect the efficiency of the port and our ability to work.” The union is pressing for a return to the terms of the 2019 collective bargaining agreement to avoid potential disruptions.
Efforts to obtain comments from Yaya Gassama, Managing Director of the Gambia Dock and Labour Company (GLDC), were unsuccessful. TAT reached out to Gassama on three occasions, but he failed to provide clarification despite promising to follow up.
The controversy comes amid broader concerns about Albayrak’s track record, with critics pointing to allegations of mismanagement at other ports across Africa, including in Mogadishu and Conakry. The Gambian government has defended the concession, emphasizing its potential to boost trade competitiveness and create jobs. However, the dockworkers’ grievances highlight tensions between these economic ambitions and the welfare of local workers.
As the situation unfolds, the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure faces growing pressure to mediate and ensure Alport adheres to existing labor agreements. Without swift resolution, the dispute could escalate, threatening the smooth operation of Gambia’s vital maritime hub and the livelihoods of its dockworkers.
