Held at his ministry’s conference room, the event marks the first deployment of workers under the agreement signed in 2023 and the second batch of workers comprising twenty-three (23) women expected to leave for Saudi Arabia on the 27th February, 2025.
Minister Joof encouraged the women by emphasising the importance of this economic advancement opportunity and highlighted the government's commitment to ensuring their safety and well-being while abroad.
He assured that the government and the licensed agencies would monitor their welfare and provide them with the necessary support during their stay in the Kingdom. He further urged them to be law-abiding, respect their Saudi employers and report any complaints to the Staff of the Gambian Embassy in Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Trade or to the licensed agencies.
Hon. Joof described the occasion as significant, not just for the workers and their families, but for The Gambia. He told the women that this agreement represents a viable avenue for Gambians to secure employment and to support themselves and their families.
It could be recalled that during the 2023 Africa-Arab Summit in Saudi Arabia, The Gambia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed “Bilateral Labour Agreement for the Recruitment of Domestic Workers” and the “Bilateral Labour Agreement for the Recruitment of Skilled Workers” to provide a structured and regulated framework for the recruitment and employment of Gambians in Saudi Arabia. The agreements include provisions for fair wages, working conditions, among others.
To ensure that the women are well-equipped to manage any challenges they may encounter, they underwent comprehensive pre-departure training and orientation on essential aspects of Saudi Arabian culture, labour laws, workplace safety as well as on their rights and responsibilities as migrant workers.
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