The Daily Observer (Banjul), 5 September 2007 - The amendment of the Labor Bill of 2007 by members of the National Assembly on Monday is yet another positive move in putting The Gambia in line with internationally accepted Labor standards.

This move will put the Gambia top again in the world map for recognizing the essence of Labor, as the bill will incorporate, in the basic national legislation on Labor matters in line with government's objectives to promote social justice and internationally recognized human and Labor rights, the International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions ratified by The Gambia since its accession to membership of the world body in 1995, such as the convention 29 on Labor Force, Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and protection of the Right to organize, convention 98 on the right to organize and collective bargaining, convention 100 on equal remuneration, convention 105 on the abolition of forced Labor, convention 111 on discrimination in employment and occupation, convention 138 on minimum age, convention 182 on the elimination of the worst forms of child Labor.

In fact the provisions provided in the bill such as the administration of Labor, the recruitment and bring of Labor, the protection of wages, and the registration of trade unions and employer organizations and also making provision for the Port Labor Board Rules which constituted the second schedule of the Labor act of 1990, which has been deleted from the Labor bill of 2007 and provisions which are intended to update and are in harmony with the operations of The Gambia Ports Authority to enhance the competitive potentials of the authority is very appreciative to all and sundry as it will again promote social justice and internationally recognized human and Labor rights .

Moreover, provision for the establishment of industrial tribunals, one in Banjul and in such other Local Government Areas as the Chief Justice may determine and the courts empowered to adjudicate all individuals claims arising under any contract of employment will definitely safe the workers and protect the employers as well.

The already set up industrial tribunal in Banjul and another one in the Kanifing Municipal Area is a clear manifestation of the government's commitment to ensure transparency and accountability in all sectors.

Additionally, the elimination of the worst forms of child Labor in the bill in domesticating the ILO convention on the Elimination of the worst forms of Child Labor will remedy the recent global outcry against child Labor, which The Gambia cannot afford to ignore.

Therefore, the government of The Gambia, through the Department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment should be saluted for such a timely bill in the country and for taking cognisant of the fact that, employment is fundamental to the fight against poverty and social exclusion as the pursuit for decent work should go beyond narrow economic calculations and rights and economic benefits are complementary and not incompatible or imposing trade-offs.

Therefore the authorities concerned are called to ensure that the laws are fully implemented to bring Labor relations in The Gambia in line with internationally accepted standards, and ensure that, both workers and employers are protected from unfair practices.

Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media. (allafrica.com)

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-new-labour-law-line-with-ilo-convention-/2007/09/05/2914524.htm