By Nelson Manneh
As Gambians joined the rest of the world in commemorating International Workers’ Day, many government employees used the occasion to voice their frustration over stagnant and insufficient salaries, urging the government to urgently review the civil service pay structure.
Civil servants, some earning as little as D6,000 per month—barely enough to afford a bag of rice and basic household needs—say their wages no longer reflect the rising cost of living. They argue that while higher-grade officials continue to enjoy comfortable earnings, the majority of public and service workers are being left behind.
“We just go to work because we love our country,” said Adama Fatty, a qualified teacher. “Some years ago, the Barrow administration revised the civil service pay scale, but it doesn’t reflect current realities. Prices are going up every day, and yet our salaries remain meaningless.”
Fatty lamented that many Gambians do not understand the significance of Labour Day.
“It should be a day of reflection—an opportunity for civil servants to assess what has been achieved, what remains undone, and how government can address our needs,” he said. “There is no nobler profession than teaching, yet we are poorly treated despite shaping the future leaders of this country.”
An anonymous traffic police officer echoed similar sentiments, describing security officers as among the most underpaid in the public sector.
“We—the police, soldiers, prison officers, and others—are the least paid civil servants,” he said. “For years, I’ve stopped attending May Day celebrations because they have become meaningless. People treat it like a rest day, not a day of advocacy or solidarity.”
Labour Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, is celebrated globally on May 1. It traces its roots to the 19th-century labour movements, particularly in the United States, where workers advocated for the eight-hour workday. While it has since evolved into a formal holiday in many countries, its spirit remains focused on recognizing the contributions of workers and pushing for improved conditions.
In The Gambia, the day is often marked by official speeches, sporting activities, and public declarations. But many civil servants now see these observances as symbolic rather than substantive.
Modou Mbye, a former police officer turned businessman, said he spent nearly three decades in the force without being able to buy land or build a home.
“All those years I was renting. My salary couldn’t take care of my family, let alone improve my living condition,” he said.
Mbye argued that Labour Day should be boycotted altogether, lamenting further: “The authorities are used to hearing our cries, but never respond. They enjoy seeing civil servants surviving on overdrafts and handouts.”
Labour Day celebrations traditionally serve as a platform for appreciating workers’ contributions and demanding fairer treatment. But for many Gambian civil servants, it is now a day that underscores the growing disconnect between their labor and the dignity they deserve.
