Grave Labour Rights Violations in Gambia

Grave Labour Rights Violations in Gambia

Brussels, 15 September 2010 (ITUC OnLine): The new report by the ITUC on core labour standards in Gambia, published to coincide with the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) review of its trade policies, reveals serious violations of fundamental workers' rights, including a high degree of prevalence of child labour.

The Gambia's law stipulates respect for trade union rights including the right to collectively bargain; however, civil servants and domestic workers are excluded from the coverage of the law and, as the informal economy is larger than the formal, it is evident that there are few workers that actually enjoy these rights. Women receive lower remuneration than men and are largely underrepresented in highly skilled positions. The government does not take adequate measures to promote equal opportunities for disabled persons or those living with HIV/AIDS.

Child labour is not regulated by the law in family enterprises, farms and in domestic service. Even where it is regulated, compliance is poor and child labour, particularly in its worst forms, is a problem in Gambia. Trafficking is a serious problem and the government has failed to start addressing the problem.

For full report see: http://www.ituc-csi.org/report-for-the-wto-general-council,7600.html

The ITUC represents 176 million workers in 151 countries and territories and has 301 national affiliates. http://www.ituc-csi.org y http://www.youtube.com/ITUCCSI

ENDS

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