President Barrow Convinces Striking Labourers to Resume Work After Meeting Chairman

President Barrow approaches Chairman of Labouers © Askanwi

By Yusef Taylor and Edward F. Dalliah

President Adama Barrow met the Chairman of striking labourers at the Faraba Campus during a coincidental routine inspection of works yesterday, 15th January 2025. Striking labourers have been protesting for almost a week now for better pay; however, after their Chairman met the President, the labourers have resumed work immediately.

The workers employed by Shapoorji Pallonji, an Indian construction company contracted for construction works at the new University campus in Faraba, initiated a sit-down strike to demand higher wages, better health and safety, and medical support. The workers have voiced dissatisfaction with their current pay and lack of medical support after sustaining injuries.

A labourer who spoke to Askanwi highlighted that “unskilled labourers earn D300 daily, while skilled workers receive D400, with these rates remaining unchanged for the past two to three years”. The labourer highlighted that the rising cost of living is making it difficult for them to survive.

Striking Labourers © Askanwi

To compound matters, our source raised concerns that they receive no medical support from Sharpoji Pallonji, while their Indian counterparts are covered by medical allowances after sustaining injury, highlighting a disparity in treatment. Furthermore, he explained that they are not provided with adequate safety gear to protect them while working on the construction site. This all culminates in workers being exposed to hazards that their pay cannot address.

Currently, the labourer revealed that a fair number of labourers are out injured, while some have recovered and returned to work. Askanwi is trying to ascertain the number of labourers who sustained injuries and those who have returned to work.

Labourer working without safety boots © Askanwi

A coincidental routine inspection brought President Barrow into contact with the striking labourers. Prior to that, President Barrow spoke to the press and complained about the slow pace of work noting that “we were targeting to open this, this year, as part of our 60 years [Independence] anniversary, but what we are seeing am not happy. The moment I was approaching the place, it changed my mood”.

Speaking on the project timelines, President Barrow explained that “it is far behind [the] project schedule, but we have discussed with the consultant; they will give us a realistic revised workplan, and we will receive this on Friday, [and] we will discuss with them to see what will be a realistic time that we can complete this project”.

The President claimed that “we are up to 90% of their structural work” for the two faculties, “it is just the Chancery that is delayed now”. He cited some technical issues that caused the delays, including funding from donors, but optimistically added that “we are 100% sure that we are going to deliver the project before the end of the year”.

Speaking to a journalist who covered the routine Presidential inspection, they shared an audio when the Chairman of the labourers was raising concerns during their protest. President Barrow’s convoy had left the University and reached the exit, where he met the striking labourers. The President then stopped his convoy as it approached the protesting labourers and decided to speak to the Chairman of the labourers off camera. The media were then asked to give the President and the Chairman of the striking labourers some space to discuss. 

Security Officer attempts to block media during President discussion off camera with Chairman of Labourers © Askanwi

Speaking to one of the labourers, he explained that when the President was talking to their Chairman, none of them heard what was being discussed because they were far from the President and the Chairman; “it was more than three meters distance”. After the President left, the Chairman called the labourers and told them that the President said they should return to work and promised that all the things they were requesting would be solved. “He even told us that for the temporal time they will add D50 on the salary. After when they enquire from the Ministry of Labour if they know how much they should pay each worker from the Ministry of Labour, later they will come and inform us of the right payment that they are supposed to pay us. So since yesterday and today we went for work,” said the labourer.

Shapoorji Pallonji, a company that has had a long-standing relationship with the Gambian government, has been involved in various significant projects, including the construction of the National Assembly complex in Banjul. The company was awarded the contract to develop the University of The Gambia’s (UTG) Faraba campus, employing both Gambian and non-Gambian workers. While the first phase of the university was inaugurated by President Barrow, workers are now raising concerns about their wages and working conditions.

Labourer on high-risk work © Askanwi