Funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the training began on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the Bakadaji Hotel.
It seeks to build stakeholders’ capacity to promote safe, orderly, and regular labour migration by improving labour market information systems, supporting ethical recruitment, and strengthening protection and reintegration services for migrant workers.
The programme also supports the implementation of the National Migration Policy, NMP 2020–2030, and the Labour Migration Strategy, (LMS), which prioritize stronger migration governance, migrant protection, ethical recruitment, and sustainable reintegration.
Participants include government institutions, private recruitment agencies, labour unions, Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET, institutions, and civil society representatives.
The Gambia is a source, transit, and destination country for migrant workers. While migration offers opportunities for better livelihoods, many Gambians face risks such as irregular migration, unethical recruitment, labour exploitation, and limited access to protection and support services.
Government has reinforced its commitment to safe labour migration through the NMP and The Gambia Labour Act 2023. However, challenges persist, including low awareness of migration frameworks, weak data systems, poor labour market matching, inadequate worker protection, and gaps in meeting regional and international commitments.
The Labour Migration Strategy also calls for stronger migration institutions, better migration data, expanded skills development and social protection, maximizing the benefits of remittances, and supporting sustainable reintegration of returning migrants.
At the opening, IOM Officer-in-Charge, Sibgha Ajaz, said well-governed labour migration can drive development for individuals, families, and communities.
“The workshop reflects our shared commitment to building systems that protect migrant workers, address labour market needs, and maximize the developmental benefits of migration,” she said.
“As IOM, we remain committed to supporting the Government of The Gambia in advancing labour migration governance that is rights-based, evidence-driven, and development-oriented,” she added.
Mamadi Dampha, Deputy Permanent Secretary at MoTIE, said migration is about people seeking opportunities and a better future.
“It is our responsibility to ensure those opportunities are pursued safely and with dignity. Strengthening labour migration governance helps protect migrants, maximize the benefits of mobility, and contribute to The Gambia’s sustainable development,” he stated.
Ndumbeh Saho, Director of Migration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted that in view of the growing dynamics and emerging trends, migration also poses significant challenges that require coordinated action.
