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AbeCham
United Kingdom
19 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Jan 2006 : 17:57:09
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Hi everyone
Do you have any ideas how we can help our beloved GAMBIA
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Saul |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2006 : 09:04:02
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As an individual I would say the best thing you can do is sponsor a fellow Gambians education, if ever you are in the financial position to be able to do so. The more well educated people the Gambia produces the better workforce it will have, with greater prospects for improvement.
But then of course there is the bigger picture, If you want change then ultimately that is political. Use your vote wisely! and bravely.
Finally there is the global scale. That feels beyond us mere ordinary folk most of the time.But in UK there is the opportunity to go on marches, write to your mp etc etc...... I went to Edinburgh for the make poverty history march. Clearly it hasnt waved a magic wand, but it raised the profile of the problem and got people debating it. Also in itself it was a fantastic day , with many fantastic African speakers from all over the continent.
I would say dont just sit round talking about it DO something. Even if it seems like a drop in the ocean, one day all these drops will come together and make a diference. |
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Tairema
24 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2006 : 12:30:28
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I always love talking to my toubab freinds grandfather of 83. He can tell the most amazing stories about how in the old days of Europe workers joined forces in strikes and protest about their bad working conditions and how they were being exploited by their employers. They stood up and demanded better conditions, payment and agreements for employees in all branches of work. He told me that it certainly was not easy and they really had a hard time during the strikes as some people nearly starved but they hung in there and forced the improvements upon their governement. They thought " we are starving without better conditions so we better fight for our right so future generations do not have to go through the same" .
My best friends husband works in a hotel in Senegambia and he earns 700 dallasies per month with a six day working week. Not nearly enough to get by and support his family.
But if he refuses to work for this or even objects he is kicked out and some other poor fool will take his place, just like that. The hotel owners must be laughing their asses of as they ask hundreds of euro's for a hotel room from tourists while his employees get nothing. Why don't we stand up against this and form unions for workers? It won't be easy and the governement will retaliate big time but what have we got to loose? They did it in Europe and my friends grandfather made it clear that his generation sacrifised a lot but in the end it was worth it all. Why can't we do the same? |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2006 : 12:47:19
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Unionisation of workers is a brilliant idea. I am amazed how little rights Gambians have in the work place. Fear of unemloyment makes people tow the line.
One of the hotels I stayed at forced staff to stay and entertain guests at a party that was out of their usual working hours. The guests were spending a fortune at the bar and yet the staff didnt get paid one penny extra for those hours. THAT IS NOT RIGHT!
If issues like this arent dealt with then the resentment it is building up will eventually lead to bloodshed. You cant treat people that badly and get away with it forever.
Gambia badly needs a Ghandi......a leader brave enough to take on the status quo..... but to try to achieve it peacefully. Any one up for it??? |
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toubab
Gambia
92 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2006 : 13:20:28
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| To have Workers Union here would be wonderful,the wages paid by the large hotels are an embarresment.But in a country that effectively has no freedom of speech, it could prove difficult.The owners of these hotels should be monitored by the SoS for Tourism, as to the conditions and pay for employees.On the other hand I know of people with businesses that pay their employees a good wage and treat them with the respect and dignity that we all deserve. At the end of the day it is down to the conscience of the owners,if they have one, and the authorities that cover tourism and employment.To my mind Africa has always been seen by the rest of the world as a place to come and make a 'fast buck', this perception will only be changed by the Africans themselves. We had the Tolpuddle Martyrs to pave the way for us in Britain!I certainly could not be that brave!Who was it that said 'you have to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything'?But at what price. |
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