Staff at Direct Aid The Gambia’s Brufut Center have formally requested a meeting with the visiting Regional Director for Africa to press for salary and transport allowance increases. They cite two unaddressed government-mandated raises since 2022.
In a letter dated April 19, 2025, addressed to Country Director Abdellatif Ourahou and the Brufut Center Manager, employees highlighted that the Gambian government implemented a 60% cumulative salary increase for civil servants in January 2022 and January 2025, alongside doubling transport allowances from GMD 1,500 to GMD 3,000. They noted that Direct Aid has not mirrored these adjustments.
The letter stated, “We respectfully request a meeting with the Regional Director to voice our concerns and seek a possible salary and transportation adjustment. “This emphasizes the staff’s desire to engage directly with leadership.
Sources close to the organization allege that management has repeatedly raised the issue with the regional office, including a recent request by Ourahou for a 40% salary increment, but no action has been taken.
Frustrated staff, speaking anonymously to TAT, revealed that unfulfilled promises of raises have led to resignations, with many feeling compelled to escalate their grievances to the Regional Director.
“We believe that a direct engagement with the Regional Director would allow us to voice our concerns and further reinforce the efforts you have been championing on our behalf,” they said, explaining the rationale to the audience.
The staff reported that they have held several meetings with the country director, who consistently assures them that a salary increase will be implemented. However, to date, no such increase has occurred. Out of desperation, the staff decided to approach the visiting Regional Director of Direct Aid in hopes of addressing their concerns.
Ourahou declined to comment on the matter. The staff awaits approval for the proposed meeting, hoping for a resolution to their long-standing concerns.
