By Fatou Dahaba
The future of the Gambia-Spain Circular Migration Agreement hangs in the balance following revelations that 33 out of 39 Gambian migrant workers sent to Spain have absconded, violating the terms of their contracts. Babucarr O. Joof, the former Minister of Trade, Regional Integration, and Employment, who is now the new Minister of Defense, disclosed during a session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, raising concerns about the continuation of the program and its impact on future opportunities for Gambian workers.
Joof informed lawmakers that only six of the 39 workers sent to Spain in June 2025 have returned to Gambia as the agreement requires. The first batch of workers departed Banjul for Spain on June 24 and 25, 2025, for a three-month work contract under the Circular Migration Agreement. The workers were expected to return on September 6, 2025, with flight tickets already procured. Their return was a prerequisite for eligibility to work in Spain again in March 2026. However, the 33 absconded workers have jeopardized the program, prompting the Spanish Consulate to issue a press release giving them until October 6, 2025, to return or face permanent exclusion from the initiative.
The minister’s remarks came in response to a question from Hon. Musa Cham, a member of Serrekunda, during the National Assembly’s oral answer session. Cham inquired about the status of Gambian workers in Spain and Saudi Arabia under the Circular Migration Agreement. Joof revealed that the Ministry is unaware of the absconded workers’ whereabouts, stating, “We are trying to find them.” He noted that the Spanish authorities have canceled the workers’ visas and nullified their work permits, rendering them illegal migrants in Spain. “Until they return, that condition will remain,” Joof emphasized, adding that a timely return by October 6 could salvage the program’s continuation.
The situation has cast uncertainty over the second batch of Gambian workers scheduled to depart for Spain by the end of September. When the member for Lower Badibu, Hon. Kemo Gassama, pressed on whether the absconders’ actions could jeopardize the next group’s opportunities, Joof admitted, “At the moment, that batch is hanging. We are not sure what will come out of it.” The minister expressed frustration, noting that the workers had been thoroughly educated on the program’s conditions during pre-departure training, which he personally attended. “I went with them up to the airport. I spoke to them and told them to be patient. Four years is very short for you to be qualified to stay in Europe forever,” he said.
Joof also disclosed that when the first three workers disappeared after receiving their initial salaries, the Ministry published their details and photographs, urging families to help convince them to return. Despite these efforts, the remaining absconders have not complied. The minister pledged to share the names and passport details of the 33 workers with the National Assembly, noting that their return tickets, valid for September 6, may have expired. “If they return, that is best for them and the country,” he added.
The ripple effects of the workers’ actions extend beyond Spain. Joof revealed that a request for 500 Gambian workers to travel to Poland, another EU country, by the end of the month is now at risk. “All these opportunities are being squashed by the behavior of 33 Gambians who were properly educated,” he lamented. The minister stated that the issue is now in the hands of Spanish and European immigration authorities, and no complaints have yet been received from the workers or the Gambian Embassy.
The fate of the Circular Migration Agreement hinges on ongoing diplomatic efforts. “Whether it will continue depends on diplomatic efforts, and we’ll continue to work on that,” Joof concluded, underscoring the need to restore trust to preserve opportunities for future Gambian workers.
