Foreigners & Expats Find A Job & Work In Gambia?
The Gambia has a liberal policy concerning the employment of foreigners for managerial jobs and technical assignments. Depending on the requirements of the company, as judged by an allocation committee, the company is allotted an expatriate quota for specific posts for a stipulated period of time.
Applications for expatriate quotas should be made on forms obtainable from the Secretary, Expatriate Quota Allocation Board, Office of The Vice President, Banjul.
When permission has been secured, a residence permit should be obtained, usually after the arrival in The Gambia of the person(s) concerned. The entry permit covers the immediate members of the expatriate’s family. However, they are not permitted to undertake any employment without prior permission.
Labour and Employment Laws in Gambia
The legal framework of labour relations consists of the Labour Act, 1990, and of regulations issued thereunder. Its administration is the responsibility of a Commissioner of Labour, who acts under the supervision of the Department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment.
The Act is a comprehensive document that covers the general conditions of employment including dismissal as well as recruitment and hiring of labour, registration and training, protection of wages, registration of trade unions and employers’ organisations, industrial relations, and procedures for the settlement of labour disputes.
The 1990 Labour Act has been under review, with a view toward, among other things, making labour legislations in The Gambia supplementary to and supportive of the aspirations of Vision 2020 in the area of industrial relations and effective worker protection.
The has one of the most affordable labour both in terms of costs of hiring and maintenance. The Gambian workforce is generally regarded as friendly and hardworking.
Setting Up & Starting A Business In Gambia
Education and Training – Primary education in The Gambia is free but not compulsory. The country’s institutions of higher education include The University Of The Gambia, and several technical and training schools.
Agriculture and Fishing – Some 82 percent of the working population of The Gambia is engaged in agriculture. Rice and millet, as well as cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry, are raised for local consumption. Peanuts are grown primarily for export;. The government has introduced the raising of cotton, sisal, citrus fruits, and tobacco to diversify agricultural production. The coastal villages engage in fishing.
Manufacturing & Processing – Manufacturing is limited mainly to the processing of peanuts and other primary products and to the building of fishing boats. Other manufactures include beverages, clothing, footwear, and handicrafts.
Import Export Trading – The main trading partners for exports were Japan, Belgium, Luxembourg, Senegal, Guinea, France, and the United States. The principal partners for imports were the China, Côte d’Ivoire, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Germany, Senegal, Thailand, and the United States.
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