By Fatou Krubally
Workers at Alport Banjul on Monday gave Managing Director Salih Levent Kaçar five working days to step down, escalating a months-long dispute over staff welfare, working conditions and unresolved grievances.
The demand follows a reported vote of no confidence backed by hundreds of workers, including employees at the Banjul Shipyard.
In documents submitted to management, the Alport Staff Association accused the managing director of repeated delays, poor communication and failure to fully implement agreements reached following government intervention during the June port dispute.
The workers said several issues remain unresolved, including access to staff loans, training and scholarship payments, overtime and shift arrangements, salary and allowance disparities, and delays in implementing the approved 2026 staff budget.
The latest development follows renewed protests at the Port of Banjul, after earlier demonstrations in April and a sit-down strike in June that disrupted port operations.
The association stressed that its action was directed at the company’s leadership and not against Alport, its concession or the government.
It warned that failure to take meaningful action within five working days could lead workers to pursue further industrial, administrative or legal measures.
Alport Banjul had previously rejected the workers’ allegations, saying staff welfare concerns had been addressed and attributing the unrest to reforms aimed at strengthening accountability at the port.
The latest standoff has renewed pressure on Alport management to address the outstanding grievances and respond to the workers’ demand for the managing director’s resignation.