Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – The Government of The Gambia has officially launched the pre-selection process for the pilot phase of a Circular Migration Program with Spain, offering seasonal agricultural employment opportunities to Gambian workers.
The initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between The Gambia and Spain on August 28, 2024, and subsequently ratified by the National Assembly on October 19, 2024. The program aims to facilitate the temporary migration of Gambian workers for seasonal agricultural jobs in Spain while ensuring their return upon completion of their contracts.
According to a press release issued by the Office of the Government Spokesperson, applications for the program will be processed by the Public Employment Services Unit under the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Employment, starting from Monday, February 3, 2025.
Eligibility and Application Process
To qualify, applicants must be Gambian nationals aged between 25 and 50 years and must possess a valid Gambian passport issued at least one year prior to application. Candidates should have experience in agriculture, particularly in fruit picking and handling, and be in good physical health as verified by a medical certificate.
Additionally, applicants must present a police certificate of character to confirm a clean criminal record. Those with prior criminal records in European Union countries will not be eligible to apply.
Applications can be collected and submitted at designated centers across the country, including at the Department of Labour, Fajara, for Banjul and KMC; the Basse Youth Centre for the Upper River Region; the Brikama Youth Office for the West Coast Region; the Soma Youth Centre for the Lower River Region; the Janjanbureh Youth Centre for the Central River Region; and the Farafenni Youth Centre for residents of the North Bank Region:
All applicants must submit copies of their passports, medical certificates, certificates of character, and any other relevant documents.
Assurance of Transparency
The government emphasized that the selection process is entirely free of charge and warned applicants to beware of fraudulent intermediaries.
Shortlisted candidates will undergo interviews conducted by a panel comprising officials from Spain’s Office of Labour, Migration and Social Security; representatives from the Spanish Embassy in The Gambia; and Spanish employers.
The deadline for applications is Friday, February 14, 2025.
The government portrays this initiative as a significant step in The Gambia’s efforts to create structured migration pathways and promote economic opportunities for its citizens through international partnerships.
