The level of employment and self-employment in the country must be accurately determined in order to create a data base on the number of households and persons who have access to basic means of survival. It is very common to read statistics indicating that 60 to 70 percent of the population depends on agriculture. Research is hardly done to assess whether those engaged in agriculture have adequate means to survive.
Social protection measures must depend on a proper assessment of the earning capacity or level of productivity of households throughout The Gambia. In many countries, social security services are provided to the unemployed and those living with disability. The Gambia however has not been able to establish such a system.
Such social security or welfare systems depend on the high level of employment and high collection of corporate taxes in order to give support to the needy. In a country like The Gambia, employment is low and self-employment does not generate enough income to ensure the desired living standard of citizens. Tokenism must be avoided.
Social protection fund must address the concrete realities of the people and must be sustainable.
