Gambia to Submit Ongoing Report on Migrant Workers’ Rights Under ICRMW
Group Photo © MoJ
By Haddy Ceesay
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ), in collaboration with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and other partners, organized a three-day workshop on reporting under the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICRMW). The event took place on 25th February 2025, at Cape Point Hotel in Bakau.
The ICRMW, which came into force on 1st July 2003, provides a framework for protecting migrant workers' rights. The Gambia ratified the convention on 28th September 2018, aligning its domestic legal framework with international human rights standards.
Enhancing Migration Policy and Worker Protections
Participants in the training included members of the ad-hoc Reporting Committee on the ICRMW. The Gambia has signed several agreements facilitating labor migration to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Spain. Recently, the Ministry of Trade announced that 22 Gambian women traveled to Saudi Arabia under the agreement on 17th February 2025, with another 23 scheduled to depart on 27th February 2025.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Solicitor General and Legal Secretary Hussein Thomasi highlighted The Gambia’s efforts to strengthen labor migration policies.
"In 2023, The Gambia updated its labor migration policy to ensure alignment with the ICRMW’s core principles—non-discrimination, fair wages, social security rights, and protection from exploitation and abuse," said Thomasi.
UN Applauds Gambia’s Progress
UN Senior Human Rights Advisor Yvonne Masarakufa commended The Gambia’s efforts, emphasizing the importance of the workshop. She praised the country’s submission of its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and acknowledged the ad-hoc committee's ongoing work on a report for the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers (CMW).
Commitment to Continuous Reporting and Rights Protection
Concluding the session, Solicitor General Thomasi encouraged participants to engage in open dialogue, critical analysis, and collaboration. He stressed the importance of structured, ongoing reporting to ensure compliance with international obligations.
"This is not a one-time task but an ongoing duty to uphold fundamental rights," he stated.
