Following the abscond of 33 Gambian seasonal workers in Spain, former Trade Minister Boubacarr O. Joof has warned that The Gambia could lose hundreds of possible job prospects in Europe.
Joof said that only six of the 39 Gambians who were sent to Spain for agricultural work had returned, and the other 33 are still missing, during a question-and-answer session at the National Assembly on Wednesday.
The actions of 33 Gambians who received a proper education are stifling all these opportunities, Joof complained.
The former minister claims that the Spanish consulate has given the fugitive employees until October 6, 2025, to return voluntarily. He warned that noncompliance would result in their permanent removal from the program. They are considered irregular migrants in Spain because their work permits and visas have already been withdrawn.
Joof also said that although 50 employees were interviewed and shortlisted to go to Spain in September, their deployment has since been halted.
“At the moment we are jittery; that is the reality. We have 50 people shortlisted, interviewed, and supposed to leave for Spain this September, but at the moment that batch is hanging; we are not sure what will come out of it,” he told lawmakers.
He went on to say that the scenario also jeopardizes opportunities for greater labor mobility within the EU.
“As we speak, we have a request on our desk for 500 workers to go to Poland, but remember, this is the EU. It is a block of countries with 500 extra workers; we are supposed to be traveling to Poland by the end of this month,” he stated.
He characterized the Spanish farm program as very beneficial, pointing out that workers only paid €20 a month for food, while employers supplied housing, transportation, bicycles, washing machines, and regular wages.
He stated, “As far as I know, this was the best and the safest landing that they could have received in a foreign land,”
Joof urged the absconded employees to come back before the October deadline, emphasizing that doing so would pave the road for them to obtain permanent residence in Europe in four years.
“We expect them to reconsider their positions and return before the 6th. Because this is the way that within four years, they’ll be given permanent residence in Europe,” Joof told the Assembly.
Joof acknowledged that Spanish and EU immigration officials have the final say over the fate of the fugitive workers. He did affirm, though, that the six returnees are already expected to start working in Spain again in March 2026.
“I have no idea what will happen to them; that will now be a problem for the immigration authorities in Spain and Europe.” However, the six present have already received assurances that they will return to Spain in March 2026 to continue working for the same farmer,” he stated. That has been verified by the Spanish government, as they had to notify the Spanish Embassy upon their arrival in the Gambia that they were back and that their passports had been re-stamped. In March, they will be prepared to depart,” he stated.
