CLAIM: Majority of companies in the private sector are employing people without appointment letters, terms and conditions of employment, leave entitlements, tax, and social security contributions. Many Gambians have become slaves in their own country.
SOURCE: What’s On Gambia
VERDICT: True
FINDINGS
Our investigation is centered on SAT INTER TRADE CO. LTD, revealing insights in response to the publication by “What’s On Gambia” on February 2, 2024, stating that “Majority of companies in the private sector are employing people without appointment letters, terms and conditions of employment, leave entitlements, tax, and social security contributions.”
SAT INTER TRADE is a trading company that import goods in the Gambia, this includes food items. The said companies address is 25 Oau Boulevard (Leman) street, Banjul, The Gambia, West Africa. Through our inquiry, we sought to understand that employment can take various forms, as outlined in the Gambia Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation Act [Act No.13 of 1981.], which defines an “employee” as a person who has entered into a contract of service (whether in writing, oral, or by any other means) with an employer and receives salary or wage for work or service rendered.
On November 21, 2023, a letter bearing signatures from a group of staff members at SAT INTER TRADE CO. LTD, marked with reference number 001-0/A-Z, was addressed to the Managing Director of the company. The letter titled “IMMEDIATE DEMAND FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR ENTITLEMENTS AND OTHER RIGHTS” contains the following first two paragraphs.
Furthermore, the staff went on to outline a ten-point demand for immediate implementation of their needs. The first demand in the letter specifies, “The immediate implementation of full payment of monthly social security benefits to all staff members of SAT INTER TRADE CO. LTD, irrespective of whether they were provided with an employment letter or not, as long as they received monthly income from the company. This applies to affected individuals from BANJUL, KANIFING, and SEREKUNDA, both past and present, for clarity purposes.”
Mr. Alagie Ceesay, the individual responsible for bringing to light the longstanding improper actions of SAT INTER TRADE CO. LTD, was promptly dismissed on November 29, 2023, shortly after higher authorities became aware of his efforts to rectify the rights violations affecting his fellow staff. However, his dismissal letter failed to provide any justification for his alleged wrongdoing or any violation of company policies.
Here is the letter from SAT INTER TRADE CO.LTD to Mr. Ceesay, Ref:SIT/GAM/05/2020(0041)
VERIFICATION
Our researchers visited SIT Trading Company in Banjul, and they revealed that the publication made by What’s On Gambia was false. However, we went further with the investigation at their office for them to show us the proofs that those people whose names were on the excel spreadsheet indicated that they did not have an employment letter, but no evidence was given to us.
We later confirm that some people were working at SAT INTER TRADE.CO.LTD for more than 17 to 22 years without entitlement to social security benefits until February 2024, when the company paid all the damages to Social Security & Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC).
Our researchers stated during their visit to Social Security & Housing Finance (SSHFC) that SAT INTER TRADE CO. LTD. (SIT) has failed to pay social security benefits to thirty-four (34) of their staff since the commencement of their employment.
The second visit of our researchers to SAT INTER TRADE CO. LTD, it came to light that it was only after the appointment of a new human resources manager, Sheikh Omar Jawara, in January 2024 that efforts were made to provide new social security numbers to these employees.
As of the time of the research in February 2024, twenty-six (26) staff members obtained their new social security numbers. Six (6) employees were not able to get their new social security numbers due to the incompleteness of some of the documents required to get the new numbers, but nonetheless, their money has already been paid, and their social security numbers will be given to them after submitting their documents, according to Buba Jatta of Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC)
Additionally, two employees were unable to obtained social security numbers as they exceeded the age limit for eligibility, and one has worked for the company for over 22 years while the other has worked for over 17 years with the said company.
Moreover, SAT International Trade Co. Ltd. has now paid their basic contribution, penalty charges, and injury compensation from 2014 to date.
IN CONCLUSION:
Recent revelations have brought to light a concerning trend within the private sector in The Gambia, wherein numerous companies are engaging in improper employment practices, resulting in the exploitation of workers and a blatant disregard for their rights. Through our investigation, we found out that the said claim happens to be true, in which 34 employees were exploited by the company for not having access to their social security benefits.
By Yankuba Taal & Momodou Dibba
Researchers
