By Adama Makasuba
Gambia’s oldest newspaper company, Foroyaa, on Saturday launched its workers’ association that seeks to promote welfare and equal rights of members in pursue of justice and to strengthen unity and cooperation among members.
Association of 43 members, formed in 2014, also aims to supporting its members on financial need, and stands for members during unfortunate situations both at work and outside work.
It comprises journalists, lay outers, printers, drivers, cleaners, newspaper compilers and vendors.
Speaking at the launch, association’s chairwoman, Amie Sanneh said: “the main aim of Foroyaa Workers’ Association is to foster unity and cooperation among members in pursue of justice, equal rights and opportunities.’
“Since we assumed responsibility, we have tried hard in engaging Foroyaa’s mnagment on issues that are of concern to our employees – to the employees of Foroyaa’s cooperation company. This has helped a lot in breaking the gap between Foroyaa ‘s workers’ and their management,” Mrs Sanneh added.
She described workers as the driving force in any institution, adding “we believe collectively we can bring change.”
Association’s secretary general, Yankuba Jallow said one of their principal objectives is to bringing Foroyaa’s workers together and engage them in a bit to develop their hidden talents and qualities.
Mr Jallow said the current executive inherited ‘nothing’ from their predecessors but added that “thanks to the membership of Foroyaa Workers’ Association they are now building and confronting some their challenges.
He assured 2020 to being a turning point for development of the Foroyaa’s Workers’ Association.
Managing editor of Foroyaa newspaper, Samuel Sarr assured support of Foroyaa’s management to the association.
Mr Sarr said: “Foroyaa is a newspaper that stands or amplifies the voice of the voiceless, and therefore, we cannot ignore our own employees those who serve…we must be able to listen to their concerns and be able to pay reposition to deal with issues that [are] of concerns otherwise what we are claiming to do will be mere hypocrisy.”
Meanwhile, Gambia’s Press Union’s secretary general, Saikou Jammeh and President of Young Journalists Association- The Gambia, Kebba Jeffang both echoed inspiring remarks while commending Foroyaa’s workers for coming up with an association.
