Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Port operations at the Port of Banjul ground to a halt on Thursday after employees of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) embarked on a sit-down strike, escalating a months-long dispute over staff welfare and employment conditions linked to the port concession arrangement with Alport Banjul Limited.
The industrial action follows growing frustration among workers who insist that unresolved welfare concerns remain outstanding despite assurances from both GPA and Alport that the issues have been addressed.
Speaking on behalf of the workers, Staff Welfare Association President Adama Jatta said employees would not return to work until their demands are met. Central to their concerns is the transfer of responsibility for staff welfare matters from Alport Banjul back to the GPA.
Workers contend that both GPA and Alport have failed to fully implement a directive issued by the Office of the President regarding their welfare concerns, prompting the latest strike action.
Management Insists Measures Have Been Implemented
The dispute is the latest chapter in tensions that have persisted since the concessioning of port operations to Alport Banjul Limited. In April, more than 700 GPA employees staged protests, accusing Alport of failing to honor welfare commitments and transfer conditions agreed under the concession arrangement.
As the standoff intensified earlier this year, GPA announced that it would assume responsibility for all human resource and administrative matters concerning staff transferred to Alport, a move aimed at easing tensions between workers and management.
However, in a press release issued on Thursday, GPA management rejected claims that the government directive had been ignored, describing such allegations as “false and unfounded.”
According to the statement, GPA and Alport have already implemented a series of measures to address workers’ concerns.
These include the establishment of a joint human resources committee comprising representatives of GPA, Alport, and the Alport Staff Association; timely payment of salaries and entitlements for April and May 2026; the disbursement of personal and miscellaneous loans before Tobaski; and the signing of an HR resolution agreement between the two entities.
GPA further stated that the longstanding issue of overtime payments had been resolved, with additional benefits incorporated into the arrangement.
Despite these assurances, workers appear unconvinced, with Thursday’s shutdown demonstrating the depth of dissatisfaction among port employees.
Police Involvement Raises Questions About Labor Rights
The dispute has also drawn attention because of the involvement of the police. As tensions mounted between workers and management, the Gambia Police Force stepped in, describing its role as facilitating discussions between Alport Banjul Limited and representatives of the Ports Staff Association.
Police said their intervention was intended to promote dialogue, consultation, and industrial harmony. However, their involvement has sparked debate about the appropriate role of security institutions in labor disputes.
Traditionally, issues relating to employment contracts, staff welfare, overtime payments, and workplace conditions fall under the jurisdiction of labor authorities, including the Labor Department, labor unions, and other civil oversight institutions.
Critics argue that the visible involvement of police risks blurring the distinction between industrial relations and security matters, particularly at a time when workers are raising concerns about labor rights and workplace governance.
Deep-Seated Grievances Cast Shadow Over Port’s Future
The latest strike comes against a backdrop of mounting employee grievances since Alport assumed operational control of the port. Workers have repeatedly complained about salary delays, unpaid overtime, uncertainty surrounding benefits, and what they describe as an erosion of workers’ rights.
Employees have also questioned the pace of promised reforms, including commitments that senior positions such as Head of Human Resources and Deputy Chief Executive Officer would be occupied by Gambians with meaningful decision-making authority.
Additional concerns raised by staff include inconsistencies in salary administration, the absence of clear human resource policies, limited career progression opportunities, and uncertainty over the continuation of tertiary education support for employees.
With operations at the country’s main seaport effectively suspended, pressure is mounting on GPA, Alport, and government authorities to find a resolution that restores both industrial peace and normal port activities.
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