Operations at the Banjul Port have faced disruption as employees, represented by the Alport Staff Association (ASA), officially withdrew their overtime services, citing over a year of unpaid allowances and delays in February salary payments.
The action, which began on March 3, 2026, has restricted port operations to a strict window of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
In a formal demand letter dated March 2, ASA President Ms Adama Jatta highlighted a “serious breach” of the Labour Act, 2023 and binding service rules. The Association is demanding three concessions from management:
They demand a written explanation for the February salary delays, a confirmed date for the full settlement of all outstanding payments and a written assurance that such delays will not recur
The Association clarified that while their action is not a full-scale strike, staff will only work their regulated 48 hours per week until a satisfactory written explanation and full payments are received.
“Staff cannot reasonably be expected to extend services beyond normal hours while their contractual remuneration remains unpaid,” the Association stated.
Responding via an internal memorandum on March 3, Alport seen by this medium Alport Banjul Limited Managing Director Salih Levent Kacar stated that the company is not at fault for the most recent salary delay.
Management asserts that salary payments were transferred to banks in a timely and complete manner and alluded that the delay was attributed to technical and operational processes within the banking system rather than company liquidity.
Management claims that after discussions with bank representatives, all payments have now been credited to employee accounts.
The staff stated that operational slowdown poses a threat to the Gambian economy and regional trade flow, adding that halting work strictly at 16:00 hours daily, the port’s capacity to process cargo is declining.
The Staff Association has also issued a warning to management against any attempts to coerce employees into moving their salary accounts to special banks, such as Zenith Bank, labelling such pressure as a potential violation of the Labour Act.
The Staff Association stated they remain open to constructive engagement, but insist that respect for contractual obligations is non-negotiable.
