By: Nyima Sillah
International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Monday, 14th November 2022 launched four strategic documents that will contribute towards improving the labour migration governance in the country through the support from the American Embassy of the Gambia, it was held in Senegambia.
The four documents include Labour Migration Strategic and Action Plan, Ethical Recruitment Guideline and Pre-Departure Training Manual.
In his Statement, Mr. Stephen Matete, Programme Coordinator of Migration Management, said the documents will enhance the policy and regulatory framework that govern labour migration in The Gambia to reflect and respond to current realities and effectively speak to the National Migration policy 2020-2030, promote best practices in ethical recruitment to safeguard the rights of both Gambian migrant’s workers and labor migrants in the Gambia.
“These documents will support the government and partners at the national and regional level to effectively raise awareness on labor migration to the grassroots making reference to accurate information.”
U.S Ambassador to the Gambia, Sharon .L. Cromer, stated that the four documents launched will provide the Gambian government with a holistic blueprint and a comprehensive roadmap to guide and enhance migration management efforts in the years to come.
“As the Gambia’s progress on addressing the challenges of migration demonstration, the release of these four policy documents here today is not a culmination of efforts here in the Gambia. Rather, it signals the start of an important new chapter in the country’s efforts.
“I can assure you that the United States stands committed to protecting highly vulnerable migrants populations around the world and in the Gambia. We will support you in this journey,” Ambassador Sharon informed.
More so, Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Honourable Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, added that the documents launched will lay the foundation for the management of labour migration issues and expand labour migration opportunities for the benefit and development of the country.
Joof disclosed that Labour Bill has been submitted to the National Assembly for enactment and he hopes once the labour bill 2022 is enacted, it will reinforce all the other related instruments and improve labour market conditions.
“My Ministry will work closely with the Department of Labour to improve Labour administration in the labour market,” he promised.