By: Alieu Ceesay
The Banjul High Court is poised to deliver a landmark ruling in a legal battle between 82 Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Gambia Limited employees and the bank’s management, centered on the planned sale of the institution to Access Bank Gambia Limited. The case, which could set a precedent for employee rights during corporate transitions in The Gambia, has drawn significant attention as it nears its conclusion.
The dispute erupted when SCB announced its decision to divest its commercial banking subsidiary, raising fears among employees of potential redundancies.
In response, the plaintiffs, led by Ebrima Jatta and Musu Badjie, filed a lawsuit on March 10, 2025, demanding severance pay, redundancy benefits, Provident Fund proceeds, and compensation for alleged breaches of contract. They claim the bank’s actions violate the Labour Act of 2023 and threaten their livelihoods.
In a court session on Wednesday, Vocational Judge Omar Saho adjourned the case with no specific date for the final ruling. The employees, represented by Counsel Ebrahim Sanneh, have argued that the sale jeopardizes their continued employment and wage protection rights. SCB’s management, represented by Lawyer Ida Drammeh, has faced scrutiny for allegedly failing to disclose critical information about the sale.
Earlier, on April 16, 2025, the court granted a conditional injunction, ordering SCB to deposit D250 million into an interest-bearing account managed by the Sheriff of The Gambia to secure potential compensation. The plaintiffs’ push for a swift resolution intensified on April 28, when they sought a vacation judge to hear SCB’s application for a stay of this order, accusing the bank of delaying tactics.
The case’s outcome will likely influence labor rights in The Gambia, particularly in corporate divestitures.
