Dozens of workers at the Banjul boat docking terminal have reacted to the condition of their work which they said is “humiliating and appalling”. 

The young men could be seen busy hassling for passengers as soon as a boat lands on the dock or about to take off for Barra to earn money by taking passengers on and off the boats.

But many of them said they aren’t happy with the job given its nature as they said they feel humiliated to be taking people on and off the boats. 

It involves some Gambians who don’t want to be named as they say they are widely known in the society.

Other nationalities involved in the trade are Senegalese, Malian, Guineans, Nigerians and Ghanaians — many of whom are unskilled young men.

“This work is shameful and we aren’t just happy with it but we have no choice,” one of the dockers told Gambiana. 

However, passengers praised the young men for their hard work to put food on table for their families, and called on President Adama Barrow to help the young Gambians involved in the work.

Latir Jobe, a passenger said: “the government should help these young hardworking men here on the boats because they are committed to working despite the condition and risk they are faced with”

He added: “The money they collect from people is too minimal given the work they are doing: taking people on and off the boats is absolutely tedious.”  

Another passenger, Ndeye Mbodge also echoed similar remarks praising the group for being hardworking in the society.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba