Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment (MoTIE) has confirmed the disappearance of three Gambian migrant workers in Spain, who were part of a recently launched bilateral labor migration program between The Gambia and Spain.
The three men, sent as part of the first cohort under the Gambia–Spain Circular Migration Programme, went missing on July 27, 2025—just days after arriving in Catalonia for seasonal fruit-picking jobs.
According to a report from the Spanish agricultural firm AFRUCAT, relayed through the Gambian Embassy in Dakar, the men failed to show up for work starting Monday, July 28, and also missed scheduled appointments to complete their work and residence permits.
In a statement issued Tuesday, MoTIE urged the absconded workers to return to their designated workplace and complete the necessary documentation, warning that failure to do so could jeopardize future participation in the program for other Gambians.
“The government views this development with deep concern,” the ministry stated, emphasizing the importance of compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) governing the circular migration initiative. “The success of this program depends on the integrity and discipline of participants.”
The trio were among the 50 workers officially selected and dispatched to Spain on June 24, 2025, following a rigorous recruitment and orientation process held at MoTIE’s headquarters in Banjul. The initiative, described by Permanent Secretary Modou A.K. Secka as “a new chapter” in promoting safe and legal migration, aims to provide dignified employment abroad while curbing irregular migration.
Upon arrival in Catalonia, workers were reportedly provided with support including orientation by Gambian colleagues, job training, and accommodation—part of a pilot effort to ensure humane and structured migration.
However, the disappearance of the three participants has cast a shadow over the program, drawing criticism from migration experts and civil society actors. Some analysts have warned that such bilateral labor deals, while well-intentioned, often operate within “neoliberal and neocolonial” frameworks, placing young African workers in precarious conditions with minimal protections.
Recruitment into the program also drew public scrutiny earlier this year. Eyewitnesses reported confusion during the application process, with many disappointed by the eventual announcement that only 50 applicants would be chosen, despite high public interest.
Critics have flagged several risks associated with the scheme, including potential exploitation abroad due to weak wage regulations, lack of reintegration support upon return, and the drain of able-bodied workers from key sectors at home.
MoTIE acknowledged that the actions of the missing individuals not only disrupt the current pilot phase but could threaten the overall credibility of the circular migration initiative.
“This is a test of the system,” the Ministry noted. “We are committed to strengthening vetting processes, ensuring clearer communication, and enhancing monitoring mechanisms both at home and abroad.”
Despite the setback, authorities maintain that the program remains a promising model for legal, safe migration—but only if guided by strong oversight and mutual responsibility from all stakeholders.
The Gambia–Spain Circular Migration Programme is the first of its kind for The Gambia and is seen as a potential blueprint for regional labour mobility arrangements across West Africa.
