Operations at the Port of Banjul remained paralyzed on Friday as employees continued their sit-down strike, with the Alport Staff Association issuing a strongly worded rebuttal against claims by Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) management that staff welfare issues have been resolved.
The strike, which began earlier this week, centers on demands to transfer staff welfare and human resources responsibilities from Alport Banjul back to the GPA, in line with a presidential directive.
In its June 4 press release, GPA Management insisted that welfare matters had been fully addressed. The authority highlighted the formation of a joint HR Committee with representatives from GPA, Alport, and the Staff Association; the timely payment of April and May 2026 salaries and entitlements; the disbursement of miscellaneous and personal loans before Tobaski; the signing of an HR Resolution; and the resolution of overtime payments with added benefits.
However, in a counter-press release dated June 5, the Alport Staff Association dismissed the GPA statement as inaccurate and misleading.
“Staff welfare matters have not been fully resolved,” the Association declared. It argued that many core grievances — including salary payments, loans, welfare benefits, and transparency in HR administration — remain outstanding. The mere creation of a committee, the group said, does not equal resolution without tangible implementation and restored staff confidence.
The Association challenged GPA’s narrative on salary payments, noting that while Alport processed May salaries, this contradicted the presidential directive requiring GPA to handle them. Workers reported unexplained deductions and inconsistencies between pay slips and the amounts credited. It further claimed Alport initially refused to release payroll data to GPA until staff threatened industrial action.
Regarding soft loans, the Association acknowledged the disbursement but stressed that these were handled directly by Alport, not by the joint committee. Many staff received partial or delayed payments, with some getting funds only a day before Tobaski prayers or not at all.
The group also questioned the signing of the HR Resolution. Although management claimed it was signed on June 4, the Association said this occurred a day after a staff ultimatum deadline, with no official communication or copy provided to workers for transparency.
“GPA and Alport management only listen to staff when industrial action is taken,” the Association lamented, citing previous strikes that influenced the current 2026 budget preparations.
Adama Jatta, President of the Staff Welfare Association, reiterated that workers will not resume duties until all demands are genuinely met and responsibilities returned to the GPA.
The escalating dispute has raised fears of prolonged economic disruption at The Gambia’s premier port. Stakeholders are urging both parties and the government to intervene swiftly to avert further damage to trade and livelihoods.
