Gambia moves to ratify domestic workers convention
Ministry workshop with unions and civil society charts roadmap for ILO Convention 189 ratification.
The Gambian government, through the Ministry of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment, held a two-day workshop in Bijilo to plan the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 189 on Domestic Workers. The meeting, a collaboration with CREDESA, gathered government officials, trade unions, employers, and civil society to develop a national strategy for this ratification.
Fabba Jammeh, Director of Employment, stated that the workshop's attendance by workers, employers, and social partners demonstrated a shared commitment to progress. Deputy Permanent Secretary Mariama Fofana noted that 89.9% of domestic workers lack formal contracts and 86% have no medical insurance, leaving them vulnerable. She highlighted that the Labour Act 2023 now formally recognizes domestic work, and bilateral agreements exist with Saudi Arabia and the UAE for Gambian workers abroad.
The workshop aims to produce a national roadmap and the Banjul Declaration, outlining concrete steps for ratification. Dr. Fatima Diallo of CREDESA emphasized that harmonizing African legislation would create a legal framework for protecting domestic workers, particularly migrants, supporting African integration and rights beyond borders.
Why it mattersDomestic workers in Gambia, many of whom are migrants, will gain better legal protection and fairer working conditions.