By Aisha Tamba
The lawyer representing the University of The Gambia striking staffers has urged the high court to strike out the injunction case against the applicants.
The striking UTG staff yesterday appeared at the high court annex in Mile 7 Bakau before Justice L Sanneh, as she heard their appeal against the court’s decision to restrain them from engaging in a planned sit-down strike.
Last week, the high court issued an interim injunction restraining the UTG staff, executives, officers, members, from embarking on a planned industrial strike action which was scheduled for last week Wednesday.
The UTG staffers had passed a resolution at their congress held on the 8th of September 2021 to embark on the strike if their demands were not met.
However, Lawyer Abdoulie Fatty who represented the UTG staff at the court asked the presiding judge to strike out the case arguing that the applicants abused the powers of the court by not filing appropriately in the jurisdiction of the court.
Lawyer Fatty said the court has “no jurisdiction” to entertain the case and therefore urged the court to dismiss the suit.
Responding to the arguments of counsel, MB Sowe told the court not to strike out the case.
“The application brought before the court is pursuant to the legislation which says an employer can come to this honorable court and get necessary orders and that is what is done. This application has merit,” Sowe said.
Hearing resumes on Wednesday 22 September for ruling.
Good news
Meanwhile, immediately after the court proceedings, the UTG staff spokesperson, Yerro Njie told his fellow staff to return to work today as advised by their lawyer until further notice.
