By: Fatou Krubally
The Circular Migration Agreement between The Gambia and the Kingdom of Spain is reportedly under threat following the disappearance of a significant number of Gambian workers, a former Trade Minister told parliament yesterday.
The former Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment, who’s now the defense minister, made the above statement in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Minister Joof revealed that out of the first batch of 39 Gambian workers who traveled to Spain in June 2025 for three-month work contracts, only six have returned as required. The remaining 33 workers have absconded, he says, leaving the Ministry uncertain of their whereabouts. According to him, the Spanish Consulate has issued a deadline of October 6, 2025, for their return, warning that failure to comply could result in permanent exclusion from the program.
“The absconding of these workers jeopardizes the opportunities available to others under the Circular Migration Agreement,” Minister Joof told the assembly. He noted that the ministry had 50 additional applicants, including 21 women, ready to travel to Spain later this month, but their departure is now uncertain due to the ongoing situation.
The minister described the conditions provided to the workers in Spain as “adequate and supportive,” including accommodation, new vehicles for transportation, washing machines, and organized support from local Gambians in Barcelona. “They were given every opportunity to succeed, including financial support for meals and leisure, yet some still absconded,” he said.
The agreement with Saudi Arabia is reportedly in better standing, with 63 of 79 female domestic workers currently employed in the Kingdom. Sixteen have returned to The Gambia for various reasons, and the ministry, together with NACIP, is assessing the circumstances of their return.
Minister Joof emphasized that the program’s continuation depends heavily on diplomatic cooperation and compliance from the workers. He stressed that absconding could not only affect the individual workers but also risk future bilateral labor opportunities, including new agreements in countries like Poland, which could accommodate 500 additional Gambian workers.
The Minister urged families and community members to intervene, advising the absconded workers to return and comply with the terms of their contracts. “Returning before the Spanish deadline remains the best chance for them to secure permanent residence in Europe,” he said.
Failure of compliance, Minister Joof warned, would have consequences not just for the absconded workers but also for the sustainability of the Circular Migration Agreement itself.
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