The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MoTIE), in collaboration with the Department of Labour and with technical assistance from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has launched a three-day capacity building workshop for public and private recruitment agencies in The Gambia. The workshop, held at a local hotel, focuses on implementing ethical recruitment frameworks as part of bilateral labour agreements with destination countries including Saudi Arabia and Spain.
The workshop builds on previous work by the Ministry, which was supported by IOM to develop The Gambia’s first Standard Operating Procedure for the code of conduct of private employment and recruitment agencies. This framework was recently validated, with recommendations to expand its reach to relevant stakeholders.
The initiative aims to address challenges posed by irregular migration pathways by promoting legal and ethical recruitment practices for Gambian migrant workers. The capacity building workshop seeks to: build knowledge and understanding among recruitment agencies on ethical recruitment frameworks; focus specifically on protection and promotion of rights of Gambian migrant workers and support implementation of bilateral labour agreements currently in effect.
Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr. Mamadi Dampha, speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, emphasised that the workshop aims to foster ethical recruitment practices within existing bilateral labour agreement frameworks. He described this as “a new option in response to the irregular pathways in view of the challenges it poses.” He noted that as the global labour market evolves, The Gambia “stands at a pivotal crossroads; one that requires a dedicated commitment to fairness, transparency, and respect for the rights and dignity of workers.”
He stressed the need for effective implementing structures and strong coordination, while appreciating IOM’s technical assistance in migration management, policy development, and institutional coordination. “Recruitment agencies play a fundamental role in ensuring labour mobility is conducted with integrity, safeguarding both employers’ needs and workers’ aspirations,” Dampha stated.
IOM Representative Marie Stella Ndiaye welcomed participants to the programme, which is organised through the Joint Labour Migration Programme funded by Switzerland and Sweden. She acknowledged that The Gambia, like many countries, has experienced a significant increase in labour migration, with many citizens seeking employment opportunities abroad. While recognising that migration can bring economic benefits for migrants and their families, Ndiaye highlighted the risks workers face, including exploitation and human trafficking. She noted that testimonies from migrants often reflect “the lack of knowledge and proper preparation and the guidance they are giving them pre-departure.”
Ndiaye emphasized the crucial role of private and public recruitment agencies in facilitating labour migration in The Gambia, stressing the importance of aligning their work with ethical standards that protect migrant workers’ rights. She noted that since beginning operations in The Gambia, IOM has supported the government in drafting various policy and programme documents aimed at enforcing ethical practices.
The workshop is funded through the Joint Labour Migration Programme, supported by Switzerland and Sweden, demonstrating international commitment to improving labour migration standards in The Gambia
