Gambian university adopts “no work, no pay” policy over staff industrial action

The University of the Gambia has adopted a “no work, no pay” policy for its staff over an industrial action.

While disclosing this in a statement on Tuesday September 14, 2021, the Governing Council of the university said policy commenced with immediate effect.

“Any member of staff who fails to report for duty on sit-down strike will not be paid salary and other allowances for the period of absence,” the statement reads.

According to the statement the Council has also sent the University Vice Chancellor on leave and derecognized the staff association.

“The Vice Chancellor shall proceed on home leave starting on Thursday 16th September, 2021 prior to the end of his tenure on September 30, 2021 (i.e. two weeks from date).

“If there is a leave arrear, it would be monetized and the Vice Chancellor paid accordingly. In the same vein, the Vice Chancellor shall handover to the most senior officer who has been deputizing for him.

“With effect from Wednesday 15th September, 2021, UTGFSA is derecognized as the body representing all categories of staff,” it says.

The Council meeting on Tuesday concluded that “An injunction be filed in the High Court restraining the UTGFSA and/or any member of its Executive from purporting to represent a staff association.

“With immediate effect, Management should arrange for the formation of three staff associations for Academic, Administrative and Ancillary staff respectively in line with the provisions in Section 41(1) & (2) of the Tertiary and Higher Education Act 2016.

“Management shall not grant permission for the registration of any association which has any member of the current Executive of UTGFSA as an elected official.

“The Attorney General and Minister of Justice through the Minister of Higher Education Research, Science and Technology be requested to promulgate Regulations for the Tertiary and Higher Education Act 2016, that give university students protection from the effects of industrial action by any category of staff association.”

The Council also made the series of decisions at an Extraordinary Meeting on Tuesday in exercise of its oversight responsibility, amid the strike by the staff.

The statement adds that the Governing Council assure all students that their welfare is of paramount importance, and all necessary steps would be taken to safeguard their interest; while urging them to be calmed and display maturity as the Council works together to put a final end to the periodic “threats” to normal academic life.