The Gambian Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment, Baboucar Joof, has declared that companies licensed to recruit applicants for the Spain-Gambia migrant work program should not charge any fees beyond a basic administrative and registration cost.
The exact fee amount is currently under negotiation by the ministry.
Minister Joof emphasized that recruitment for the program should be free, aligning with international standards. “No agency should charge applicants for registering in this scheme. It is supposed to be entirely free,” he stated.
This statement follows complaints from some applicants who reported being charged substantial fees by licensed recruitment agencies. One applicant shared evidence of a D50,000 payment to a recruitment company, which is reportedly not part of the official requirements.
Joof warned that any agency demanding unauthorized fees will face consequences, which could include license revocation. “We instructed them not to take money from applicants, and any company found doing so will face action,” he cautioned.
There are also reports that some politicians are attempting to influence the registration process, promising slots in the program. However, Joof assured that the recruitment system includes protections to prevent political interference.
The authorized agencies for recruitment include Help Them in The Gambia, Cruise Ship Crew Gambia, Gam Jobs Limited, Tokey Recruitment Agency, Work Max Africa Limited, Outsource Recruitment Agency, and Mbye Consulting Agency.
