Hundreds of young Gambians have climbed the fence of the Labour Department in a desperate attempt to secure work permits for Spain.

The chaotic scenes in Fajara on Monday saw crowds scrambling to enter the government office, prompting fresh criticism of The Gambia’s handling of youth employment.

The rush comes after the government signed an agreement with Spain last year to send seasonal workers to farms in the European country.

Many have criticised the scheme, arguing it highlights the government’s failure to address high youth unemployment.

“Thousands of Gambians risk their lives on the ‘backway’ route to Europe because of economic hardship,” one critic said.

The pre-selection process for Spain’s Circular Migration Programme opened on Monday, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two governments in August 2024.

Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes as applicants rushed to pick up forms.

“People queued at the Labour Department to sign up for Spain’s migration programme,”  Muhammed Bittaye, who witnessed the scene wrote.

“Thousands of young men and women gathered to collect forms,” another eyewitness told Gambiana.

The Gambian government has yet to respond to the concerns raised over the application process.

By Adama Makasuba 

Photos by Muhammed Bittaye