The following is culled from Burning Issues (FOROYAA) Publication

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Veteran Trade Unionist Gone

Araba Bah, a veteran Trade Unionist who devoted his life to the trade
unionism and the cause of workers passed away on Tuesday 6th March 2001 and
was laid to rest on Wednesday 7th march 2001 at Old Jeshwang cemetery . He
is survived by his wife, Isha and four children.

He was born on the 2nd October 1937. He developed interest in trade unionism
at an early age. Hence at the age of 22 while working at the marine
department, he became a shop steward of the Workers Union branch under the
leadership of the late M.E. Jallow, veteran Trade Unionist who he closely
worked with till his death in 1987. As a young worker he was also a member
of the youth wing of the union. He was sent for training in leadership in
Kampala in Uganda then Germany. By 1969 after his return he was already
active in  union work. Because he was a man of action he soon carried the
burden of the organisational work of the union and therefore became its
national organiser. By 1974 he rose to the level of Deputy Secretary General
of the union. M.E. Jallow who founded the union and led the nationwide
strike of 1961 which compelled the colonialist to take discussion for
transition to independence seriously, was at the time the Secretary General
of the union; Tamsir Sosseh was the administrative Secretary; and Matarr
Ceesay the organiser.

Mr. Ceesay described him as one who was totally committed to the union and
dedicated to the workers cause. Mr. Bah had led workers in many strikes to
defend their interests. It would suffice to briefly narrate two or three of
them as narrated by Matarr Ceesay. After the waller Commission
Recommendation on salaries the PPP government in 1976 offered a 6% rise in
salaries while the union called for 100% rise in the minimum wage. There was
dead lock and general five days strike ensured which led to the arrest of
Araba Bah and other union leaders. In the end the minimum wage was increased
from D1.50 to D3.00 which is equivalent to 100% increase.
Shortly after this in the same year he led another strike arising from a
labour dispute at G.U.C. which led to the sacking of all union
representatives at G.U.C.

At the time the Workers' Union was strong and united and this made the PPP
government uncomfortable. It passed a new law, the Trade Union (Amendment)
Act 1976 that barred unions from going on strike unless they notify the
minister two weeks before the time they intend to do so. It saw it timely to
test the enforcement of the law. It took a rigid posture and claimed that
the workers would break the law if they went on strike and the government
was determined to enforce the law,. The union maintained that it was the
government that first broke the by unlawfully sacking the workers because of
union activities; that its action provoked the workers. At a union meeting
Mr. Bah  told union members that whether dead or alive the strike must go
on, otherwise workers' rights in this country would not be protected in the
future. The majority of the executive members were resolved to proceed with
the strike but a handful of them hesitated.

Mr. M.E. Jallow listened carefully to the contending sides and supported the
prevalent view. At the end of the day the meeting resolved that the strike
should proceed and the strike did proceed as the workers were waiting for
the verdict. There was tension. The police were on the alert.
As soon as the workers started downing their tools the police stepped in and
arrested Araba Bah who was on the spot leading the strike. Other union
leaders and worker involved in the strike were also arrested particularly at
Bamba Tenda.
Araba Bah and others were taken to Banjul magistrates' court without delay
to face trial. The court room was full to capacity. The court yard was over
crowded and some workers had to stand in the street. The trial proceeded and
the verdict was handed down. Mr. Araba Bah was acquitted and discharged
while Matarr Ceesay was sentenced to a fine of £60. This amount was
immediately raised at the place of trial and the fine paid.

It was clear to them that the PPP regime was out to crush them. The death
well sounded barely a month or two later  when the PPP government
deregistered or banned the union for allegedly failing to submit its annual
statement of accounts to the registrar of unions. The government was afraid
of a strong union. It had to do everything to push the union leadership into
inactivity quietude. The old dynamic workers' union was no more. The
leadership now resumed a long and difficult process of representation which
took many years to bear fruit. When the union was born again it deferred in
character from its parent as manifested by its dynamism, unity and strength.
The old situation was no more. The new reality was a weak union without
sharp teeth to bite which made the PPP regime quite comfortable. They
nominated M.E. Jallow as the home representative. Araba took over after M.E.
passed away.

M.E. Jallow and Araba Bah were not at all happy with the new union they had
instituted but they but they did what they could as their time and
circumstances permitted. Let's hope that their contribution to the cause of
the workers be fully recognised and appreciated.

It seems this is what Mr. Matarr Ceesay recognised when he described Araba
Bah as "the iron of the workers" who "had no fear" who fought for "a union"
as opposed to a regime acting under the whims of power. Mr. Bah  had also
assumed some civic responsibilities. He became a member of the House of
Representative as a representative of workers in 1987. He was at one time
Vice President of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, a
member of the Labour Advisory Board, the censor Board of the film unit, the
Gambian German Friendship Association, The Gambia National Trade Union
Congress, the chairperson of the Parent Teachers Association of Methodist
Primary School, etc.

The Gambia Trade Union Movement needs to launch a special programme to pay
tribute to Mr. Njie and Mr. Araba Bah.
FOROYAA will try to produce a booklet on the Trade Union Movement for
posterity. Anybody who has something to contribute should contact the
FOROYAA office and ask for Sam Sarr 393177.

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