By: Yunus .S. Saliu
The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment (MOTIE), in partnership with the Spanish Embassy in The Gambia, has officially oriented and dispatched the first batch of Gambian workers under a historic circular migration program to Spain.
The initiative, designed to promote safe, legal, and productive migration, marks a milestone in bilateral cooperation between The Gambia and Spain, offering new employment opportunities for Gambians in Spain’s agricultural sector.
At a pre-departure orientation held at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment Conference Hall in Banjul on Monday, the selected candidates received final briefings and travel documents, with departures scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. The workers will be employed in fruit-picking farms in Catalonia, where a significant Gambian community already resides.
Permanent Secretary at MOTIE, Modou A.K. Secka, congratulated the beneficiaries, emphasizing the importance of the initiative in curbing irregular migration and providing a dignified alternative for economic advancement.
“This program signals a new chapter,” he said. “We want other European countries to emulate this safe and structured migration path. The losses we’ve seen through irregular migration—both human and financial are tragic. This program not only offers a formal route to employment but also the potential for long-term legal residency.”
PS Secka urged the workers to uphold the image of The Gambia while in Spain. “You are not just workers, you are ambassadors. Your conduct will determine whether this program continues and expands.”
He reminded the workers that the initiative is based on trust and performance: “Misconduct will not only jeopardize your position but also deny others this opportunity. Perform well, respect your contracts, and this program can grow to benefit many more Gambians.”
He also encouraged the migrants to save their earnings and consider investing in agricultural ventures upon return, drawing inspiration from Senegalese returnees who have used similar programs to become self-employed farmers.
Spain’s Chargée d’Affaires, Violeta Insa Sandval, also addressed the departing group, celebrating the culmination of months of coordination between both governments. She expressed her joy at welcoming the workers to Spain, particularly to Jaila, Catalonia, home to a large Gambian population.
“This is a day of joy,” she said. “After months of hard work, we now have a functioning system of circular migration. You are the pioneers. You carry a great responsibility and the hopes of many others who wish to follow.”
She emphasized that the visas are tied specifically to agricultural contracts and are not transferable to other sectors. “This is a structured legal pathway. It is not permanent migration but cyclical, meaning you’ll work, return home, and be eligible to go back again.”
She added that if the pilot phase proves successful, the program could expand, citing similar arrangements with Morocco that have seen tens of thousands of seasonal workers deployed annually.
She reassured the workers of continued support: “From your arrival in Barcelona, you will be accompanied, housed, trained, and integrated. A Gambian colleague currently working in the same company will meet you at the airport and guide you through the process.”
The Gambia’s Commissioner of Labour, Nyallow Barrow, and other officials also attended the orientation, underlining the government’s commitment to increasing legal employment opportunities abroad and reducing the risk of illegal migration.
The program originated from an agreement signed during the visit of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to The Gambia in 2023. Following a rigorous selection process earlier this year, the first group now embarks on a journey that could redefine labor mobility for Gambians.
With another 50 workers set to be selected for a second deployment within two weeks, officials hope this program lays the groundwork for long-term, safe, and mutually beneficial labor exchange between The Gambia and Europe.