How can a jobseeker access employment services in The Gambia?

A jobseeker can register with the Department of Labour's Public Employment Services, which connects jobseekers and employers. Licensed private employment agencies are another formal route, while own-account and informal work remain common.

What written information should an employment contract give a worker in The Gambia?

The employer should provide written terms covering the job, pay calculation and interval, normal working hours, probation, notice, contract duration, workplace, leave, sickness and pension arrangements. The worker must have at least 48 hours to read and consult the contract before signing, and the employment particulars must be supplied before work starts or within 14 working days at the latest.

How does informal employment affect workers in The Gambia?

Informal employment is widespread and can make written records, social protection and enforcement of employment rights less reliable. The risk is especially pronounced in agriculture, rural areas and women's employment, so workers should keep evidence of work, pay and agreements where possible.

What working-time protections apply to employment in The Gambia?

The normal limit is generally 48 hours per week together with one full rest day in every seven-day period. Overtime should be paid at a rate higher than the normal hourly rate, with the applicable sector, Joint Industrial Council or contract terms checked for the exact calculation.

How can a worker challenge an unfair dismissal in The Gambia?

A worker or union can submit an unfair-dismissal complaint to the Commissioner of Labour within six months. If settlement has not been reached after one month, the matter can proceed to the Industrial Tribunal, which may order reinstatement, re-engagement or compensation.

Employment in Gambia

Employment in The Gambia combines formal jobs covered by the Labour Act 2023 with a large informal sector. About 81% of employment is informal, while agriculture, rural work and women's employment show especially high informality. Formal workers should receive written employment terms, regular pay records, safe working conditions and access to complaint procedures.

byAwa&Lamin

The Department of Labour within the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment provides Public Employment Services and maintains a registry for jobseekers. Licensed private employment agencies also operate, while many people earn income through own-account work or other informal arrangements. Access to jobs varies by region and gender; in 2025, 52.9% of the working-age population was outside the labour force and 5.1% of jobseekers were discouraged. Youth means people aged 15 to 35, and youth unemployment was 11.5%. Women had an informal employment rate of 86.3%, rural informal employment reached 86.7%, and agriculture reached 96.9%.

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