By Landing Ceesay
In a letter obtained by this outlet, the Executive of the Staff Welfare Association of the University of Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (USET), formerly Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI), has directed its members to begin a sit-down strike due to the Gambia government’s failure to pay their performance allowances.
“With reference to the letter written to the management of USET on an “Ultimatum on Financial Matters” Ref: SWA-USET/024/11 dated 9th September 2024, we hereby inform you that we have started a sit-down strike effectively 30th of September, 2024. We urge all staff to report to their workplaces daily and sign the time book until further notice,” the USET Staff Welfare Association wrote to its members.
This action was taken following a meeting held by USET staff, including the Executive of the Welfare Association, on 30th September 2024, concerning the unpaid performance allowances and other unresolved issues.
After the meeting, an Executive Member of the Welfare Association informed members via a letter shared on their WhatsApp platform:”For your information, staff meeting schedule for today, sit down strike continues. The promise the minister gave us was not fulfilled, no payment of our performance allowance for four months and still our salaries are not paid,” the said Executive Member informed.
A reliable source confirmed to Kerr Fatou that as of 30th September 2024, USET staff have yet to receive their September salaries. Additionally, the source revealed that August salaries were only disbursed on 10th September 2024.
“The Minister (Prof. Pierre Gomez) made it clear to us that there is no money right now,” our source revealed.
In July 2019, President Adama Barrow’s Cabinet approved a proposal from the Ministry of Higher Education to transform the Gambia Technical Training Institute into the University of Science, Engineering, and Technology (USET). The government envisioned this transformation would help bridge the significant skills gap in the Gambian workforce by creating more opportunities for technical education.
The expectation was that USET would enhance the quality and relevance of its technical certificate and diploma programs while introducing degree programs in science, engineering, and technology. However, nearly four years after the transformation, USET has now found itself in a crisis, with staff embarking on a strike over four months of unpaid performance allowances.
At the time of receiving this information, official working hours had ended, and this outlet was unable to reach the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (MoHERST) for comment. We will ensure that the Ministry’s response is included in future publications.At the time of receiving this information, official working hours have elapsed, and this medium could contact the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) for comments. But we will ensure that the side of the Ministry is captured in our subsequent publications.