By Assan Bah
The first group of Gambian circular migrants is set to leave for the Kingdom of Spain today, June 24, 2025, with a second batch scheduled for departure on July 2. This milestone follows the ratification of a Memorandum of Understanding on Circular Migration between The Gambia and Spain by the National Assembly in October 2024.
The program aims to establish legal pathways for Gambians seeking seasonal employment in Spain, aligning with the government’s broader strategy to reduce unemployment and underemployment by creating job opportunities both at home and abroad.
The inaugural group consists of 39 male workers who will primarily engage in fruit picking. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Employment, participants will earn a minimum wage of 1,000 euros per month, with accommodation and meals provided by their Spanish employers.
At the orientation ceremony, Violeta Insa Sandoval, Charge d’Affaires of the Spanish Embassy in The Gambia, assured the migrants of a welcoming environment, noting the presence of a substantial Gambian community in Catalonia — the region where they will work. “You have a big responsibility as the first batch,” she said. “This is circular migration — you work, return home, and may come back for subsequent seasons over a four-year period.”
Sandoval emphasized that the work permits are contract-specific and strictly for seasonal labor; using them for other purposes would be illegal. The initial contract lasts three months, with potential extensions depending on the worker’s performance. “After the first contract, renewal is automatic without hassle,” she added.
She urged migrants to respect Spanish laws and their employers’ rules, warning that maintaining discipline is crucial for the program’s continuation. “We are starting with 39 workers, with another 50 to be recruited soon for a different company. If this pilot succeeds, the program will expand and create more jobs.”
Tijan Dibba, a participant from Sabach Sanjal, spoke passionately about the opportunity. “We are lucky, selected from over ten thousand applicants. We must serve as examples so thousands more Gambians can benefit. If we fail, we fail the entire nation.”
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Employment, Mod K. Secka, highlighted the broader diplomatic significance. “You are ambassadors for The Gambia in Spain,” he said. “Your behavior will impact future bilateral relations and the program’s growth. Use this chance to learn skills that can help you start businesses back home.”
Secka assured migrants that the Gambian embassy in Spain would provide support and serve as a conduit for addressing any issues that arise during their stay.
