The following is culled from Burning Issues (FOROYAA) Publication **************************** 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------