I read a similar article in today's Observer where the workers at Radville Farm are crying over the terrible conditions they have to work in daily. I find it real hard to believe that they are paid JUST D11.10/day (Daily Observer). Wonder how far D233/month can take anyone. Farming is not an easy job at all and I hope the Government will take some measures to help these poor people. Mam J >From: Momodou Camara <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list ><[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: FWD:The Consequences of The Fire That Threatened Radville Cold > Stores. >Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2001 16:10:20 +0100 > >The Consequences of The Fire That Threatened Radville Cold Stores. > >What Is The Fate of The Workers? > >After a fire incident close to the airport which consume an area recovering >3000 sq. meters, FOROYAA decided to mount an investigation into the causes >and consequences of the fire. >Our investigation revealed that on 1st March 2001, the fire started from >the >eastern end of the airport. By 2pm it came close to the power house of the >cold store. Workers were asked to help put off the fire. They had no >protective gears and had little experience in fighting fires. 20 workers of >different ages took part in the fire fighting exercise. In the process, >many >young women and girls either suffered from suffocation or became injured. >They were rushed to Banjul Nding Health centre and then to RVH. The number >of people affected were mainly female. Out of the 20 persons affected only >5 were males. > >The fire incident had raised concerns of the plight of the workers. >Apparently 600 persons are employed at the cold store. 75% of the workers >are females. 85% are on daily wages. > >FOROYAA wanted to speak to the manager to find out whether those who took >part in putting off the fire were insured, find out their wages, the plans >of the company for compensation and further treatment of the injured. >It could be observed that the cold store was protected from any damage. >This >should compel the management to compensate the workers. > >One thing that FOROYAA observed is that the workers for Radville are highly >intimidated. Some have explained that talking to the press could lead to >dismissal; that there is no job security. Some indicated that things get >worse for them when they take up their issue with the Unions or labour >Department. We asked for evidence. They give examples which we will first >discuss with management, the unions and the labour department. We will >publish the allegations and our findings in due course. The following are >included in the fire incident. > >FOROYAA will appreciate any report of any difficulty being experienced by >any of the victims. >Those who suffered so much to save a cold storage facility should receive >the highest level of attention for their deeds. Some of the people affected >are as follows: Penda Jallow, Adama Sillah, Fatou Sisay, Musa Nyassi, fatou >Jatta, Siney Tamba, Awa Sisay, Yassin Kambi, Fatou Bah, Ansu Bojang, Buba >Jallow, Kemo Tarawally, Alhagie Badjie, Borry Camara, and Bakary Sanyang. > >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L >Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html >You may also send subscription requests to >[log in to unmask] >if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your >full name and e-mail address. >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------