Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Employees of Gambia International Airlines (GIA) staged a peaceful protest on Monday, demanding urgent government action over what they describe as deteriorating working conditions, the withdrawal of staff benefits, and the steady decline of the state-owned company.
The workers submitted a petition to the authorities outlining their grievances, as they called for renewed government attention to the welfare of employees and the future of the national airline.
Several employees who spoke to The Gambia Journal said they had repeatedly raised their concerns with the Ministry of Works and other relevant government institutions over the past several years but claimed that their complaints had received little meaningful response.
At the center of their grievances is the withdrawal of benefits that workers say were previously available to GIA employees. These include medical benefits, staff loans, and educational assistance.
For the workers, the issue goes beyond employment benefits. They argue that the difficulties facing GIA are closely linked to the changing structure of ground-handling operations at Banjul International Airport and the government’s decision to allow private operator Niro to operate alongside the state-owned company.
Workers question government’s aviation policy
The employees contend that Niro’s arrival has significantly reduced GIA’s operations and revenue, raising broader questions about the government’s policy towards its own aviation institution.
They argue that allowing a private company to provide ground-handling services that are also provided by GIA has effectively placed a government-owned institution in direct competition with a private operator.
The workers question why the government would create such a situation instead of strengthening GIA’s capacity to fulfill its mandate.
Their argument is that government policy should focus on building the operational and financial capacity of GIA rather than creating what they regard as unnecessary competition between public and private interests.
The concerns come at a particularly sensitive time for the company, as the country’s tourism season gets underway and the December 5 presidential election approaches.
The protesters hope the timing of their action will increase pressure on the government of President Adama Barrow to intervene and address their demands.
From national symbol to uncertain future
GIA once occupied a central position in The Gambia’s aviation sector and was regarded by many employees as an important symbol of national pride.
They now fear that the continued erosion of GIA’s operations, combined with what they describe as declining staff welfare and insufficient institutional support, could leave the company facing serious financial difficulties.
The employees are therefore calling for urgent reforms, improved working conditions, and stronger government support to prevent what they warn could eventually become a threat to the survival of the state-owned company.
For the protesting workers, the immediate question is not simply about restoring lost benefits but about whether the government remains committed to preserving and strengthening GIA as a national aviation institution.
The Government of The Gambia and Niro had not publicly responded to the employees’ allegations as we publish this story.
Leave a Reply