By: Binta Jaiteh
Seven former staffers of Zenith Bank have called for compensation following what they describe as their unlawful dismissal from the bank in 2017.
The affected staff members are: Sheikh Jeng, Ousman Jawneh, Cherno Bah, Ebrima A. Bojang, Sheikh Tijan Ndong, Musa Badjie, and Samba Touray.
In an interview with this reporter, Samba Touray said their dismissal was not based on any legitimate grounds.
“We requested our employment rights, including employment letters, which led to our dismissal. In 2017, we filed a lawsuit challenging the bank’s decision. The bank’s failure to comply with the court ruling shows a disregard for the judicial system,” Touray disclosed.
He added that their lawyer wrote to the bank twice requesting payment, but the management has yet to respond.
The former employees are seeking D17,484.60 each for leave arrears, which the bank allegedly refused to pay at the time of their dismissal. Touray noted that each employee was hired on different dates and in various positions, but none received employment contracts despite repeated requests.
“It was on this basis that we approached the Department of Labour. The bank was given a grace period to provide the employment letters, but they failed to comply,” he explained.
Touray said a formal letter was sent to the bank on 10 November 2025, but the issue remains unresolved. “The Central Bank of The Gambia, as the governing body, should protect citizens’ employment rights and benefits. Currently, the banking system discourages these rights,” he added.
He urged the government and the Ministry of Justice to intervene urgently. Another victim, Sheikh Jeng, echoed the call, insisting that Zenith Bank has failed to respect the court ruling.
“Our contracts were terminated unlawfully, and justice must be served. Despite reporting the matter to the Labour Department and the Ombudsman, no action has been taken. We are demanding compensation as ordered by the court,” Jeng remarked.
The Kanifing Industrial Tribunal also ruled on Friday that the seven former staff members were unlawfully dismissed, ordering the bank to pay their salaries for six months alongside damages of D50,000.