By Buba Gagigo
Haji Suwaneh, the National Youth President of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has raised alarms about the potential misuse of the Spain-Gambia Labour Deal by the Gambian government, suggesting it could lead to the exploitation of youth for political purposes.
Suwaneh asserted that from the outset of the Spain-Gambia labour agreement, he anticipated that the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) would politicize the initiative, allowing those in power to take advantage of it for personal enrichment.
“NPP and their government forgot that this program has been proposed and discussed since April during Spanish Charge d’affaires courtesy called on H.E Ousainou Darboe. Before the Government is tasked to implement the program as the relevant authority, the NPP should know that the idea came from outside the government. But we never and will never politicize such programs. So, this shouldn’t be partisan or a business. We believe that our youths should be safe if they want to travel in search of greener pastures since the Barrow government cannot provide the Gambians any meaningful employment opportunities not even an environment conducive for big companies and private factories to come to the Gambia,” he said.
Suwaneh criticized the government for taking pride in the agreement, labeling it a “shame” that reveals their incompetence and inability to safeguard their citizens. “It exposed their incompetence and lack of know-how to protect their own citizens. You collect taxes and call yourself president, but you can’t provide them their needs particularly, meaningful employee opportunities not even a solution to the high cost of living,” he said.
Suwaneh claimed that following the ratification of the agreement by the National Assembly, some NPP members spread misinformation, suggesting that youth interested in participating would need to obtain an NPP membership card.
“To my surprise, when this program was ratified by the NAMs after the visit of the Spanish president Pedro Sanchez. All I saw at first was some NPP members flying everywhere with misinformation saying if anyone wants to be part of the program have to get an NPP membership card. Which was forcing some desperate youths to fall in the wrong trap. Again the ministry came out with corruption and abuse of the program by irresponsibly issuing licenses to some private recruitment agencies most of whom are members of NPP to recruit potential workers. These agencies are asking people to pay administration fees and a deposit of fifty thousand Dalasis,” he said.
He suggested that the government could simplify the process by launching an online application system through the labour department or the Ministry of Trade and Employment, which would make the program more accessible and transparent.
“Were they not intending to be corrupt? The process should be to create and launch an online application form through either the website of the labour department or the Ministry of Trade and Employment to make it accessible to all interested Gambians. From there, the authorities could select the number of people they need and call them to submit their required documents to Spanish Charge d’affaires/ambassadors for visa processing. But it is only corruption and selective process that is causing them to go for in-person registration so that they could be involved in bribery and politicizing the program at the detriment of taxpayers,” he said.
Suwaneh also disputed recent statements from government spokespeople, which he described as misleading. He highlighted confusion over program details and cited cases of mismanagement and unfair practices.
“We know where the pressure came from. How can the name of Saudi and Spain be mixed up and in the same letter Help Them In The Gambia, Sainey Badjie aka Obama’s company is licensed to only be responsible for Spain? You must play a fair game and make it corruption-free, if not you will dance to the tune,” he said.