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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Jun 2010 : 21:53:30
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Foroyaa Editorial : What is Happening At the Hotels? Gambia Tourism Authority Should Take Note
By Publisher
25-06-10
In the past, hotels in the Gambia had two types of employees. They had permanent staff and seasonal workers. The seasonal workers would be retrenched every six months and would be hired at the beginning of each tourism season which generally commenced in October of each year and ends in March.
They used to comprise Waiters and Waitresses, Accounting Staff and Room Boys and Girls. It hardly affected managers, cooks, security personnel, gardeners and those who are responsible for the security or up keep of the hotels during off season.
Elementary business management principles teach that a properly run business does not run on a hand to mouth basis. Hence such a business cannot depend on new customers to pay wages. Funds for wages are raised before a season starts.
The success of each season is determined by the capacity to recover what is invested as recurrent cost including wages.
In fact a hotel which is operating successfully would make enough profit to be able to retain staff throughout the year.
However the principle of capital accumulation leads Hotel administration to keep a minimum number of staff, whose presence in the hotel during off season is necessary or whose performance or expertise is so vital that one would prefer to retain rather than lose them to another competitor.
The reports we are receiving from hotels indicate that many are retrenching even managerial staff under the pretext that tourists are not coming during the summer.
Foroyaa has it that the redundancy provision of the Labour Act is being exploited by employers who are just in pursuit of maximum profit by spending as little as possible on wages. Many employers are beginning to compel their employees to accept wage cuts, pittance as retention allowance and are even altering provisions of contracts to force the employees to accept lower salaries. Trade unions are doing their best to engage in industrial bargaining, but many cases are now finding their way to the labour department and the industrial tribunal. The delay in getting redress as we have shown in the case of Baba Kanyi, which has lasted for three years, is to the disadvantage of the workers.
It is a stated policy that the tourism industry should provide employment and generate income to the Gambian population. It is important for GTA, the Minister of Tourism and the government at large to know that the employees of the hotel industry are more insecure today than ever before. The trade unions and the labour department are not receiving the clout necessary to ensure the peaceful resolution of disputes between management and the employees. It is urgent to act to save the employees.
Source: Foroyaa
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jun 2010 : 22:30:21
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Staff need to be given contracts. These should be enforced in law.
They need the freedom to be unionised. By acting collectively they have more power.
Most hotel staff work SO hard for their money, personally I don't feel they are employees, they are more like slaves.  
The hotels would be nothing without their loyal, friendly, hardworking staff. Any owner with any sense would reward good staff in order to retain them.  |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jun 2010 : 01:03:19
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| Foroyaa Editorial I think is quite correct but its not just the hotel industry that is having real problems its the whole of The Gambia, Gambia and Gambians have to change and join the real world and sort themselves out and stop bleeting and relying on other people to "help" or "give" things,the outside world has tried time and time again to get The Gambia to pull its finger out and get on with things,Gambians must realise that those who give wether isa country or an individual are getting fed up with the blame culture and apathy that hangs like a dark cloud over The smiling coast where nothing ever gets done and nothing is perfect always broken and bodged up,I cannot go on Gambians must know by now that collapse of their culture and minds is getting ever closer. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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MeMe
United Kingdom
541 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2010 : 11:00:41
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Interesting that nobody replied to this one, T1020! Or is it a question of yes that's the truth and I've nothing to add???  |
It is better to die standing than to live on your knees - Ernesto Guevara de la Serna |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2010 : 12:44:19
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MEME
"Interesting that nobody replied to this one, T1020! Or is it a question of yes that's the truth and I've nothing to add???"
Thanks for the interest,Bantaba in Cyberspace has developed into something else,when I joined it was a place where ideas and views could be expressed on any topic and there appeared to be posters from many countries,these posters got fed up with posting on bantaba without any interest in their postings as it changed and became a platform for the discussion of the two major topics religion and politics.Most topics that were posted outside this changed bantaba were trodden on by those who feel that bantaba is ONLY for those who wished to post on the above topics,the everyday life of the Gambia and her people became not a matter for discussion and posters who did receive postings to their topics were OFTEN insulted by those who thought they should not express their views on things Gambian.You will have noticed that there has developed postings by SOME posters that are what I call conflict discussions where the topics are railroaded to a different perspective.Many posters simply do not express their views anymore because they were ignored or insulted, although I believe that many still read what is here and sometimes post,but in general they have left. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2010 : 14:18:39
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MeMe, you sure know the right buttons to press in order make T1020 jumpy and making assumptions. As for me, I am no clairvoyant to know why people do not respond to some of my posts. 
People are free to post at their own will and I have no headache that things go slow at times because it an indication that there is life outside Bantaba in Cyberspace. Is it not better to post when one has something to share than post just for the sake of posting.? |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2010 : 14:44:22
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| Momodou thanks for your input, I do not mean to insult you, you have provided a good platform for people to post what they like, you have no control over that, indeed in the past you have been more than lenient as a moderator, until things got really stupid then great, you stepped in,things go slow at times, maybe,but I am afraid I still hold to that I have posted.I suggest that people who love Gambia are really more interested in local things than other things that are more "specialised" . Only one problem heavy reliance on the newspapers is the case, which may or may not reflect the truth of any situation.I very much doubt if there are many people who live in the Gambia have an opportunity to express what they really feel. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 29 Sep 2010 14:45:47 |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2010 : 14:53:24
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After MeMe pushed my buttons ( Momodou what was posted ? this. Won't bother to copy and past,if interested have a read of a lot of words, and figures, one bit I found interesting was "representing a 5% share of the world's international tourism." OK but 5% of 100% isnt a very good mark,something that was lost on those attending the conference
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/gambias-tourism-minister-addresses-ata-presidential-forum |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 29 Sep 2010 14:55:54 |
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MeMe
United Kingdom
541 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2010 : 11:06:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Momodou
MeMe, you sure know the right buttons to press in order make T1020 jumpy and making assumptions.
No button pushing intended, Modo! I'd missed this article the first time round, found it and T1020's comment interesting, and was then quite amazed that nobody else had actually posted.
However, to show that I'm not trying to start some sort of 'turf war' here (LOL) .... what do you think of the Chosaan Academy which has recently started? Hospitality Management for Gambians but will it prove too expensive for Gambians to sign up to it (if they wish to pursue a career in tourism/hospitality)? |
It is better to die standing than to live on your knees - Ernesto Guevara de la Serna |
Edited by - MeMe on 30 Sep 2010 11:08:12 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2010 : 14:23:29
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MeMe, I have no idea about "Chosaan Academy" but my guess is that they might be a competitor to "Institute of Travel & Tourism of The Gambia (ITTOG)" and will be as expensive as the other private/state institutions in the business. Only the privilege who can pay by the help of some kind of sponsorship will have the chance to study there. It will definitely not be free. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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MeMe
United Kingdom
541 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2010 : 15:40:10
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| As far as I'm aware (but I could be wrong), this is an initiative by the owner of Chosaan Restaurant, Kololi .... if you've got Facebook, Chosaan Academy has a page too which gives more info. |
It is better to die standing than to live on your knees - Ernesto Guevara de la Serna |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2010 : 15:56:21
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| There is a program, I am not sure about the details, but Restaurants have internship positions for youth. I have seen some restaurants were employing a few students as intern. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2010 : 17:19:37
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A lot of those students - Turk - come from the Hotel School. Last time I went there there were 4 areas for students to study - waiter, receptionist, bar and housekeeping. They all have to do placements. Some placements just use them as free labour - others actually do help train them. Some restaurants do actually go to the Hotel School to get staff but other students are left (like in so many other situations) without a job. As usual - who you know - is a better way of getting a job - than how well you've been trained.
(Sorry if I've gone a bit off topic here!). |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2010 : 17:31:34
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Lily
This is not only problem with Gambia. Sometimes you got to work free to gain some experience. Some careers i.e. Nursing has little problem finding job. After I completed my education, I worked free for UN as volunteer/intern. But at least, you work free but you gain something out of it. This process is much harder for Gambian graduates and they do not get much benefit. It is typical problem of being under developed country. It is very unfortunate.
I have seen a few interns working in a restaurant next to Senegambia craft market. The dude from Germany needs training for himself. Anyway, he was getting these students just for being cheap labor. No training. Poor students would gain just little experience and skills out of this internship. Very sad.
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diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
Edited by - turk on 30 Sep 2010 17:34:49 |
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2010 : 23:26:57
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I agree - it's good for students to gain work experience - whatever their subject. I just feel very sorry for those who qualify well but can't then get a job because they don't know anyone and someone with no qualifications gets a job because their uncle/cousin/cousin brother/ distant relative already works there!
We all know how it is - sometimes the ones who study hard and achieve well in school or college can't get out of the poverty trap because the available jobs are not always given on merit - this is turn brings a cycle of poor work and little progress because the ones doing it don't have the education - we know the system -
(and yes I am generalising and simplifying but I suspect everyone reading this knows what I mean!) |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2010 : 01:00:48
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Thanks Lily until The Gambia starts giving work to those who are able to do the job well and are well qualified and will take personal responsibility for their actions instead of giving jobs to those who know people but are unable to perform the job they have been given the country will limp from problem to problem.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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