FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
Isatou Bittaye
7 April 2008
The National Assembly on Thursday, 3 April, passed the Pay Roll Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2008.
Tabling the Bill before the Assembly, the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs, Musa Bala Gaye, said the Bill seeks to reinforce government's indigenisation of employment and empowerment of Gambians policy by ensuring legally that the jobs go mainly to Gambians. SoS Gaye added that the bill restrict the employment of non-Gambians in the foreign companies and establishments operating in The Gambia to not more than 20% of their staff. He added that the bill will also make a section for certain operations which require highly professional and specialised personnel who are not available in The Gambia. SoS Gaye noted that companies and establishments can submit applications to the secretaries of state providing the schedule of duties and responsibilities and the qualification required for the positions for consideration by the secretary of state. He said the penalties for non-compliance to the Amendment Bill sanctioned by courts of law are fines not less than D20, 000 and not exceeding D50, 000. He added that business premises will also be closed until fines are paid. And also there is a penalty for payment of fines and closure of business.
In seconding the bill, the member for Kombo South, Paul Mendy said the Bill is in conformity with international standards, as all governments take the interest of their citizens as a first priority. Hon. Mendy noted that the Bill will safeguard the interest of Gambians, as most of these companies have operated in The Gambia for many years yet half of their employees are non-Gambians. Contributing to the debate, the majority leader and member for Serrekunda East, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, said it is the responsibility of each state to protect its citizens. He said most companies bring in their so-called experts, while there are better and more qualified Gambians. He said that will limit the job opportunities for Gambians. Hon Jatta added that serious monetary mechanisms should be put in place by the Bill in order to clarify on employees and their income. He said the companies should make use of Gambian experts available who are conversant with the norms and values of this country.
Also contributing, the member for Jimara, Mama Kandeh, said the bill came at the right time as most of the companies leave very little revenue in the country. He said their non-Gambian employees are earning high amounts and little revenue is paid to the Government. Hon Kandeh called for the Bill to include not only the employment of Gambians but also fair treatment of such employees. He said most of the companies treat Gambians wrongly because they are less paid and have no time limit for work. Hon Kandeh asserted that it is not enough to employ Gambian citizens; that efforts must be made to ensure that they are fairly treated.
The nominated member, Sidi Njie, said the Bill will cater for the employment of youths as the rate of unemployment of youth is high. He added that most of the companies employ their relatives and friends who are not Gambians but if the Bill is supported, it will ease the problem of youth unemployment within the country.
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