By Binta Jaiteh
Gambia Press Union has gathered scores of its members together on Wednesday to validate the draft policy on membership benefit and legal assistance documents at Baobab hotel, Bijilo.
The documents aimed to establish a framework and provision access to services, facilities and amenities offered by the Gambia Press Union to its bona-fide members
Speaking at the validation workshop, Lamin Jahateh, program manager of GPU, said the Gambia Press Union is being criticized for focusing more on capacity building of journalist and advocacy of press freedom and expression, and “we are also accused of sighing away from the welfare of journalists but over the past two years some system has changed.”
“Now our focus is on the welfare of journalists, however as we move on without welfare issues there is going to be a little bit of change from the norm,” he said.
He said the legal policy assistance provides the legal framework through which the GPU uses to provide legal services to its members.
Saikou Jammeh, former secretary general of GPU, said the policy statements, highlighted the core mandate of the GPU “is to safeguard the interest and welfare of media workers.”
“In the face of increasing demands for improvements in condition of service and the GPU refocused attention to Bread and Butter Issues. The issue of media workers remains top of the union’s list of strategic priorities. Application of the policy applies to all members of the GPU,” he said.
Saikou said that the GPU membership card does not guarantee access and recognition; it is also a symbol of pride and responsibility that one can show-off.
He said the union undertakes to built the skills and competencies of at least 25 percent of its membership.
