FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
Pateh Baldeh
2 November 2009
The inauguration of The Gambia National Bureau of Trade Unions was on Thursday 29th October held at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.
In her welcoming remarks the Administrative Secretary Gambia Teacher's Union Mrs. Antoinette Corr-Jack who moderated the occasion spelt out the aims and objectives of the GNBTU. Mrs. Jack said their aims among other things is to develop National and International Trade Union solidarity to integrate all trade union centers into one national force to enable them address felt needs to provide capacity building through training and sharing of experiences and best practices, to promote Gambian workers to speak with one voice on common platform and to promote National Unity among workers.
For her part, Faustina Mukazi Van Aperen Senior Specialist, Bureau for Workers Activities International Labour Office (ILO) mentioned that the Gambia National Bureau of Trade Unions is a strong tool for the workers. This she said allows them to improve their organization and centers and to perform with one voice, for national and international social and economic development. This she said is to formulate and the implement activities of decent work country Agenda in The Gambia.
She said the idea has been endorsed at the highest level in several regional ILO and African Union meetings. She told participants that they now have a strong Bureau that would enable them to transform with their own words, culture and level of development, these tools into national policies and programmes.
She then went on to say, that would allow them to contribute together with the employers' representatives and the government to the construction of a modern economy for all. The Bureau she finally said is to combat poverty, unemployment and exploitation of child labour, inequalities and violations of trade union rights.
For his part the Secretary General of the Gambia Workers Confederation Mr. Pa Modou Faal highlighted that unity and solidarity is the struggle to move together. He said their coming together is a clear manifestation in fulfilling their duty and responsibilities. He however talked about the disunity among them in the past which caused them a lot of difficulties in exercising their duties. He promised that a committee will be formed to tackle this problem as soon as possible.
He said they are to eliminate all forms of discrimination among workers. He said the welfare of all workers should not be left out and must be handled with high regards. He however thanked all those who have one way or the other contributed to the promotion and well being of the unions.
The Minister of Trade and Industry Yusupha Kah presided over the inauguration on behalf of the president.
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