GAMTUB: May Day belongs to workers, not gov’t

Ceesay reaffirmed GAMTUB as “the apex body of organised labour in The Gambia,” with affiliations to ITUC, OATUU, and strong ties to the ILO and UN agencies. He condemned “counterproductive” breakaway unions, warning that “fragmentation weakens our bargaining power, dilutes our influence, and only serves the interests of those who wish to divide us.” He urged workers to “prioritise unity above personal or sectional ambitions.” Looking ahead to the national conference on climate change, Ceesay said GAMTUB will push to place workers at the centre of policy. He noted climate change threatens agriculture, fisheries, and informal economy workers most. He also announced a “comprehensive Roadmap for the Elimination of Child Labour,” pledging to work with stakeholders to end the practice. “No child should be robbed of education and childhood because of poverty or weak enforcement of labour laws,” he said. GAMTUB called on Government to fully back its advocacy and “take full responsibility for implementing the issues and demands contained in our May Day Resolutions.” “Words must be matched with concrete actions if workers are to feel the real impact of national development,” Ceesay said. In a first for Gambian labour, the official May Day message was delivered by the youngest woman trade union leader in GAMTUB’s ranks. “To the women of GAMTUB... the sky is the limit,” Ceesay said. He thanked the Ad Hoc Committee, Chairperson Comrade Rohey and Secretary Comrade Basirou, for organising the “purely workers-owned event.” Ceesay ended with solidarity chants: “Long live the Gambian worker! Long live GAMTUB! Long live international workers’ solidarity!”
2026-05-04 11:22:05