Clearing and forwarding agents are on an indefinite strike over unpaid deposits they said must be settled otherwise they would not go to work.

The agents accused Maersk Gambia Shipping Line of owing them an unstated amount of money after working for the shipping company to get containers out of the sea port in Banjul.

Speaking at a news conference in Banjul, the association’s president Sulayman Joof said: “we informed Maersk to either refund back our deposits or will continue a sit-down strike for the next 30 days. 

“We have informed all our members not to go to Maersk Line to release a container and anybody who goes there we will take disciplinary  action.”

Mr Joof accused the shipping company of calling the police on his members for striking but added “we are not going to compromise with Maersk and nothing will let the matter go unless and until they start doing things right as there should not be any condition attached in returning someone’s money.”

He urged the government to engage Maersk Gambia because the extra charge is a cost to business, adding the government should look at all this thing in the ports whether they are reasonable.

“The key issue we are having with Maersk line is the deposit refund, shipping do request for deposits when paying your handling charges in order to clear the container which will be refunded to you upon returning the container in good condition.

“Recently Maersk introduced payment of cheques, they decided that they are going to introduce a banking system, where all deposit refunds will be sent to our bank accounts and a copy of our cheque,” he said.

 He added: “We told them that is not possible because a deposit is not a payment, a deposit is something that you keep upon finishing agreement you return the money.”

Mr Joof argued Maersk Shipping doesn’t spare a dalasi to anyone “therefore must pay us back.”

He said they have engaged them on several occasions but still the problem is not being solved, “now customers do accuse agents of eating their deposit money while that is not the case”. 

Maersk Line Shipping company has been contacted for comment. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba