The governments of Gambia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Abu Dhabi that will provide a legal framework of protection for potential Gambian workers in that country.
According to statement received by The Voice on Tuesday, with the agreement coming into effect, the Gambia government would ensure the “recruitment and preparation for deployment of workers to the UAE” in line with Gambian laws, procedures, guidelines and regulations.
The MOU was signed on behalf of the Gambia government by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Momodou Tangara and UAE Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Nasser bin Thani Juma Al Hamli.
The MoU was signed in Abu Dhabi on the sidelines of an official visit of Gambian President Adama Barrow.
The statement said the bilateral arrangement would provide legal protection for Gambian workers and effectively eliminate the risks of illegal recruitment and deployment of workers by shady recruitment agencies.
The agreement establishes a dispute resolution mechanism and joint committee of senior officials that would monitor and periodically assess its implementation.
Gambian workers would have to be in possession of an employment offer duly signed by both the worker and employer, verified and approved by the Gambian government before deployment – a mechanism that would make sure no one is tricked in accepting fake jobs proposals.
Speaking about the importance of the event, Tangara said it was the “the beginning of a very fruitful mutual relationship”.
Part of the fundamental responsibilities of the UAE government set out in the agreement is to uphold the rights of Gambian workers pursuant to its laws.
The UAE Minister assured his counterpart that his country has “very strong laws in place that protect the right of workers”.
Other aspects of the cooperation agreement involve strengthening the regulatory capacities of the respective countries to combat trafficking in persons as well as technical and human resource development.
In another development, UAE is to increase its support to Gambia in the area of vision and eye care services.
This will be done through the Sheikh Zayed Eye Care Centre, which is providing various services in West Africa.
This was discussed between President Adama Barrow and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
UAE was one of the countries that pledged to support Gambia’s National Development Plan 2018-2021.
The bilateral discussion between the two leaders aims to strengthen the cordial relations between the two countries