Emploi à durée déterminée en Espagne : 33 des 39 travailleurs gambiens ont pris la fuite, Madrid en colère
Spain has been working with Gambia for several years on legal temporary migration opportunities. Earlier this year, Madrid and Banjul signed a "legally non-binding" migration agreement aimed at establishing a framework that will allow Gambian citizens to travel to Spain for fixed-term jobs and return home once their employment contracts expire. This agreement has been implemented for several months.
Madrid gives them "until October 6, 2025 to return"
39 Gambians were sent to Spain to work. At the end of their contracts, they fled. Only six returned to Banjul. The other 33 disappeared into thin air. This aroused the ire of Madrid.
Visiting Parliament yesterday, Wednesday, September 24, Gambian Minister of Trade and Employment Baboucar Joof revealed that Spain had issued an ultimatum to these fleeing workers. They have until October 6 to return home.
"The Spanish consulate issued a press release giving them until October 6, 2025, to return, or face total exclusion from the program," said Mr. Joof. "Their visas have already been canceled. Their work permits are canceled. If they don't return, they will destroy not only their own opportunities, but those of others as well," the authority worried.
"Even Poland, which had requested 500 Gambian workers, could withdraw."
Indeed, "a new group of 50 workers, including 21 women, was due to leave for Spain in September," but because of the attitude of their predecessors, Spain prefers to remain in a state of expectation for the moment. "Even Poland, which had requested 500 Gambian workers, could withdraw," the authority complains. He castigates the "thoughtless" choice of his 33 compatriots.
This job "was their best chance to live in Europe, without hindrance. Four years of patience would have allowed them to obtain permanent residency," says Baboucar Joof.
He refuted allegations that the fugitives were victims of mistreatment or breaches of contract. He said they were well treated in Spain: housed on farms, provided with a vehicle and bicycles, and even washing machines.
Commentaires (10)
Contrairement à ce qu’a déclaré le ministre Baboucar Joof, certains de ces travailleurs auraient tenté de régulariser leur situation en Espagne, espérant obtenir un statut légal ou une protection sociale, plutôt que de rentrer dans un pays où les perspectives d’emploi sont quasi inexistantes. L’ultimatum lancé par Madrid pourrait être perçu non pas comme une mesure de justice, mais comme une pression politique visant à dissuader d’autres migrants de suivre le même chemin.
Enfin, l’idée que ces 33 personnes « anéantiraient les chances des autres » semble exagérée. Elle ignore les responsabilités partagées entre les gouvernements dans la gestion de ces programmes migratoires
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