By Muhammed MS’s Bah
Only 4 of 37 Gambian Seasonal Workers Return from Spain; 31 Go Missing, 2 Miss Flight
The promise of opportunity abroad has collided with the reality of rules and responsibility, leaving Gambia’s landmark migration agreement with Spain hanging in the balance.
Out of 37 Gambians who recently left for a three-month seasonal work program in Spain, only four have made it back home, the Ministry of Trade and Employment has confirmed. Thirty-one absconded, while two missed their scheduled flights—but authorities say arrangements are being made to bring them back.
Permanent Secretary Mod Secka expressed concern over the developments, explaining that the absconding migrants were among the first batch sent under the Bilateral Labour Agreement between the Gambian Government and the Spanish Kingdom.
“The Ministry regrets to inform the public that three men disappeared on 27th July, 2025. They failed to report for work or attend their scheduled appointments for Work and Residence Permit processing,” the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Service noted in an official dispatch.
The government says the agreement was designed to provide safe, legal pathways for Gambian youth seeking employment abroad while ensuring they return home with skills to contribute to local development.
Gambians between 15 and 35 years old make up more than 50% of the population, according to the Gambia Bureau of Statistics, and youth unemployment remains a pressing challenge, with the World Bank reporting that over 40% of young Gambians are without work.
“This program is more than a migration pathway; it’s part of our strategy to boost youth employment and curb irregular migration,” Secka said. “Absconding threatens not only these young people’s future but also the continuation of this vital agreement with Spain.”
Authorities are now working closely with Spanish partners to ensure that absconded workers are located and returned. The ministry emphasizes that returning on time and adhering to program rules is key to securing more opportunities for Gambian youth under similar international arrangements.
The incident has sparked debate across social media and in communities about the pressures facing Gambian youth, the allure of Europe, and the challenges of providing sustainable local employment. With youth forming the backbone of the nation, the government insists that programs like this must be protected, both for the sake of individual migrants and for the broader national interest.
