LABOUR (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2026

Summary

This Bill seeks is to amend the Labour Act, 2023 to address a critical regulatory gap concerning the recruitment and deployment of Gambian migrant workers to countries where Bilateral Labour Agreements are not yet in place. The Labour Act, 2023 prioritises safe migration through formal Bilateral Labour Agreements with receiving countries. However, negotiating and concluding Bilateral Labour Agreements is a lengthy diplomatic and legal process, while significant employment opportunities continue to exist in non- Bilateral Labour Agreements countries. The absence of a licensing and monitoring framework for Private Recruitment Agencies operating in these corridors has left Gambian workers vulnerable to unregulated practices, including contract substitution, excessive recruitment fees, poor working conditions, and lack of legal recourse. It has also limited the ability of the Government to monitor recruitment activities, enforce standards, mandate pre-departure orientation, and provide effective consular support to distressed workers abroad. This Bill therefore seeks to introduce a regulated pathway for recruitment to non- Bilateral Labour Agreements countries by establishing a icensing, monitoring, and accountability framework for Private Recruitment Agencies. The amendment will move migrant workers from informal and unregulated channels into the formal sector, thereby granting them access to Government protection, standardised contracts, and legal remedies. It will also enable the Government to proactively manage risks associated with migration to non- Bilateral Labour Agreement countries by introducing safeguards to ensure recruitment is responsible and ethical.

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