By Ousman Saidykhan
Gambia’s Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Babucarr O. Joof, announced to parliament that 30 domestic workers have been recruited under an agreement with Saudi Arabia. Twenty-two have already begun their employment in the Kingdom, and the remaining eight are scheduled to travel next week. The minister highlighted the government’s efforts to facilitate legal migration and reduce unemployment through international labor agreements.
“Twenty-two out of this number are already in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to start their employment contracts,” Joof told lawmakers. “A second batch of eight domestic workers, who have already gotten their visas and air tickets, are now waiting for clearance from the government to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
The delay in deploying the remaining eight workers was attributed to logistical considerations. Joof explained that the government intentionally grouped the workers to ensure smoother travel and integration, given their limited experience with international migration. “Some of them are traveling for the first time. So that they go in groups for the Embassy… to be able to receive them and integrate them properly,” he said. The eight workers are now cleared and scheduled to depart next week.
The Saudi recruitment initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Gambian government to create overseas job opportunities. In late 2024, Gambia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Circular Migration with Spain, enabling Gambians to secure seasonal employment in Spanish industries. A similar deal with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) focuses on recruiting domestic workers for Middle Eastern labor markets. However, Joof noted that while the Saudi and Spanish agreements are progressing, the UAE has not responded to Gambia’s repeated outreach, stalling recruitment efforts.
For the Spain program, applications were accepted from February 3 to February 14, 2025, with pre-selection and interviews currently underway to identify the most qualified candidates.
Joof emphasized that both agreements prioritize worker protections, citing Gambia and Spain’s shared commitments under International Labour Organisation conventions. These include protections against forced labor, child labor, and discrimination, as well as guarantees of fair wages and collective bargaining rights.
Addressing concerns about exploitation, Joof clarified that no private recruitment agencies are involved. “The Government of the Gambia is recruiting for the Government of Spain, not an individual farmer or employer,” he said. Workers heading to Spain will sign binding contracts before departure, offering legal recourse in case of disputes.
The initiatives reflect Gambia’s push to combat unemployment and harness circular migration as an economic tool.
As the first group of domestic workers settles into their roles in Saudi Arabia and preparations continue for Spain, the government remains optimistic about the programs’ potential to uplift Gambian livelihoods.
