Demba Jawo,s piece regarding the constant dissmissals and re- appointments
of civil servants is a serious subject that needxs not only be explored and
deplored but be nipped so that the pain and anguish of uncertainty be
vanquished once and for all. Obviously a government that resopects it,s
citizens will desist from behaving the way the APRC does, hiring and firing
of people at will without any legal basis is the ultimate abuse of power.
                                  Demba Jawo is right to say that they as
media people can only highlight the rights of the people and it is left to
the ordinary people to assert their rights. This true as may be does not
only challenge the working people, for me much more than that it shifts the
onus of action on to the labour movement, at the beggining of the transition
people like Pa Modou Faal were at the fore front of events writing and
advocating for waht was just for the workers, but it has been a while since
any labour union leader is heard taking a peroactive posture defending and
denouncing the daily injustices being perpetuated by the government, I think
it is about time for the Labour unions to call a congress unify all the
labour forces and start being pr-active. These are time when people in
positions of respionsibility should raise their heads abovwe the parapet and
be ready to plunge in defence of the rights of the workers. Gambian workers
have long suffered ibn silence and the labour movement has never for once
taken a universal stance that would earn it the respect it deserves, this
area of civic society has long been monopolised by a bunch inactive none
eventful leaders, gone are the days when the JALLOW JALLOW spirit was imbued
in the working people. The Gambia labour force was once a political force
that had a respectable voice, but since it has been controlled by a force
that is not ready to advocate challenge it position as an important social
institution is undermined. In these times of transition and the blatant
abuse of labour rigths, it should have been common to hear the labour
movement at constant loggerheads with the government with it,s pattern of
dismissals. But going by the recorsd there are no cases now or impending
whicvh challenges the goverments arbritary use of might against civils
servants constantly. Am not saying that governmentr would comply if
instructed to act in a way, because government,s records reagrding the
courts leaves a lot to be desired, nonetheless, it should be challenged and
exposed, otherwise this trend of hiring and firing at will with no
repercussions will continue unabated.

I hope the labour movement will renew it, dedication and commitment to not
only making the workers aware but also satnd firm and defend them when the
need arises, after all the tools the exist for them are immense, they can
easily withdraw their labour call for demonstrations and a host other
activities that will make the sate think twice before acting in a way tha
will harm the workers.

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