A junior staffer at the Gambia Telecommunications Company, Gamtel has been suspended for three months without pay after criticizing the management about their excessive love for travel per diems.

Dawda Jammeh wrote in the Gamtel/Gamcel WhatsApp chat group: "The endless travelling by the top brass for per diem is sinking Gamtel. The problem with our company is not overstaffing, but improper management. We cried for the gateway to be under Gamtel. Now that we have the gateway, what changed have we got?"

His comments did not go down well with the Gamtel senior management team and he was immediately suspended for three months without salary.

A letter from the acting managing director stated. "I am directed to inform you that you have been suspended for a period of three months with immediate effect in accordance with section 8.7 subsection (II) of the Staff Service rules."

"You are required to note that this letter also serves as a warning for any future recurrence and that a repetition of such misconduct will attract severe disciplinary action taken against you,” the letter concluded.

Dawda started working at Gamtel in 2006. He is one of the engineers responsible for gateway traffic routing, monitoring and system configuration.

One of his colleagues speaking to What’sOn-Gambia said: "I think what the management did was very wrong. The WhatsApp chat group is for staff members to share ideas and it shouldn't be a crime to criticise the management."