The highly anticipated protest by Gambian employees of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA), working under the ALPort Concession, initially scheduled for Monday, November 17, has been officially suspended following last-minute government intervention.
One of the protest leaders, speaking on behalf of the staff by the GPA/ALPort Staff Welfare Association, confirmed to The Alkamba Times that they are calling off the industrial action to allow mediated dialogue facilitated by the Department of Labour.
“The government has deployed the Labour Department to mediate between ALPort management, the Staff Association, and GPA senior leadership,” the source said.
“This intervention is intended to restore order, guarantee fairness, and guide all parties toward a sustainable resolution. In the spirit of cooperation and national interest, we have agreed to suspend Monday’s protest and fully participate in the mediation process, the protest leader said.
The decision comes just 24 hours after staff announced plans for a mass demonstration outside GPA headquarters to protest alleged salary delays, suspension of staff loans, forced bank registrations, extended working hours without overtime pay, and what many described as discriminatory treatment between Gambian and Turkish personnel.
Sources within the Staff Association informed TAT that intensive behind-the-scenes discussions took place throughout the weekend between union representatives, GPA Managing Director Ousman Jobarteh, ALPort executives, and senior officials from the Ministry of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure.
A senior Labour Department official confirmed to this outlet that a formal tripartite mediation committee has been established and the first session is scheduled for Tuesday morning at the Department’s headquarters in Banjul.
“We welcome the workers’ responsible decision to prioritize dialogue over disruption,” the official said. “The mediation will address every grievance raised — from salary timelines and loan facilities to working conditions and allegations of unequal treatment. Our goal is a binding agreement that respects both Gambian labour laws and the operational needs of the port.”
While some employees expressed cautious optimism, others insisted the suspension is conditional.
“We are giving the process one chance,” one crane operator said on condition of anonymity. “If the mediation fails to deliver concrete commitments and timelines, the protest will be back on — and bigger.”
A senior manager at ALPort management told TAT they welcome the development: “We remain committed to constructive engagement and to ensuring the welfare of all staff while maintaining efficient port operations for the benefit of The Gambia.”
The GPA handles more than 90% of the country’s seaborne trade, and any prolonged industrial action risked severe economic consequences, including delays to essential imports and damage to The Gambia’s reputation as a reliable transit hub.
For now, calm has returned to the Banjul port. Workers return to their posts Monday morning with the understanding that the Labour Department now holds the key to resolving a crisis that exposed deep tensions within one of the country’s most strategic institutions.
Mediation talks begin Tuesday. All eyes will be on whether dialogue can heal the divisions — or whether the suspended protest is merely postponed.
