As of March 2024, the estimated population of Gambia is 2.7 million.
The currency in Gambia is the Gambian Dalasi (GMD). The currency symbol is D.
Under the Labour Act of The Gambia, permanent (unspecified-period) employment is defined by the nature and reality of the work. An employment relationship is deemed to be for an unspecified period where an employee is regularly and repeatedly employed for work that can be completed in less than 24 hours, or where a contract described as fixed-term or task-based is used, in reality, permanent and part of the employer’s normal activities. All employees must be provided with a written contract of employment. Where no end date is specified, or where the circumstances meet the legal tests for permanence, the contract is treated as one for an unspecified period.
The Gambia Labour Act requires employment contracts to be in writing. The law places the obligation on the employer to provide employees with a written contract of employment. They must also provide a statement of particulars before or on the commencement of the contract, no later than 14 business days. If a contract isn’t written, the employee can still enforce it, but the employer cannot. If the contract is not presented in writing due to the employee's willful act, the contract is enforceable by both parties.
The Labour Act of The Gambia recognizes employment that is not intended to be permanent, including employment for a specified period of time or for the performance of a specific task, where the contract states the period for which the employment is expected to continue or the date when the employment is to end. An employer must provide an employee with a written contract of employment regardless of its duration, and a written statement of employment particulars must be given no later than 14 working days after commencement. There is no further guidance on temporary employment contracts.
For skilled employees, the probationary period can be agreed upon but cannot exceed 12 months. For semi-skilled employees, it is limited to 6 months. For unskilled employees, it cannot exceed 3 months. During probation, either party can terminate the contract at any time without notice.
“Normal working hours” are defined in the employment contract. A female employee may be granted a period off during working hours for prenatal care subject to a certificate provided by a registered medical practitioner. Pregnant employees cannot be required to work between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. or engage in overtime work without written consent. Mothers of children under 8 months old are also exempt from overtime work.
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Employees in the Gambia have the right to accrue annual leave days provided for by a Joint Industrial Council agreement, collective agreement, or individual employment contract. If annual leave is specified for a period longer than 1 month, it accrues proportionally each month of employment.
In Gambia, employees are entitled to paid sick leave as provided by a Joint Industrial Council Agreement, collective agreement, or individual employment contracts, up to the amount earned in 12 months of employment, with a medical certificate. Sick leave covers any normal work the employee cannot perform due to bodily or mental illness, injury, or disease. Sick leave pay must be at least the same as the employee’s regular pay, including overtime and bonuses.
In the Gambia, a female employee is entitled to 6 months of maternity leave under the Women’s Act upon producing a medical certificate issued by a medical officer. She may also be granted time off during working hours for prenatal care upon production of a certificate from a medical practitioner. A female employee who is nursing her unweaned child is entitled to at least 2 nursing breaks of 30 minutes each or 1 nursing break of 1 hour during her working hours at a time convenient to her, within 18 months of the birth. An employer cannot dismiss an employee during her absence on maternity leave.
A male employee is entitled to 10 working days of paid paternity leave within 6 months of the birth of his child, as provided under the Women’s Act.
Either party can terminate indefinite-term employment contracts by giving notice. The duration of notice depends on the frequency of wage payments and how long the employee has been continuously employed, ranging from 1 day to 2 months. Employment contracts can determine longer notice periods than those provided by the law. However, contracts made with shorter notice periods than those provided by the law are null and void. Contracts can be terminated by making a payment in lieu of the notice. The minimum notice period for redundancy due to economic, organizational, climatic, or technical reasons is 6 months. The minimum notice period for terminating a fixed-term contract before its expiry is 14 days. The minimum notice period for terminating a fixed-term contract before its expiry is 14 days. Fixed-term contracts terminate upon the date specified, and no notice is required unless a fixed-term contract is expressly prolonged. Specific task contracts terminate upon completion of the task.
An employer must pay severance to an employee whose contract is terminated or expires as follows: Medical Discharge: When the employee is medically discharged. Fixed-Term Contracts: If the contract expires: Severance is either 25% of total basic pay during the contract or retirement benefits from a relevant social security scheme, if applicable. If the contract is terminated early: Severance is at least 25% of total basic pay earned up to termination. Termination for Other Reasons: A lump sum of 2 months' basic pay for each year worked. Death of Employee: 2 months' basic pay for each year worked. Business Insolvency or Closure: 2 months' basic pay for each year worked. Business Transfer or Sale: 2 months' basic pay for each year worked.
The legal retirement age is 60 years in Gambia. Private sector employees are insured under the National Provident Fund. It is a defined-contribution fund in which both employees and employers make a contribution to individual member accounts. Benefits upon retirement are paid based on the amounts credited in those accounts and accrued interest, in the form of a lump sum. There are no regular pensions. However, at the request of the beneficiary, a part of the lump sum can be converted into an annuity, receivable periodically. There is a separate scheme for government sector employees, called the Federated Pension Scheme. It is a final pay or defined benefit scheme in view of the fact that benefit payments are based on a defined formula, which takes into account factors such as age, salary at the point of termination, and length of service.
In Gambia, the National Provident Fund benefits private-sector insured members' dependents after their death. Members must choose their nominees at the time of their registration with the fund. Nominees can be their dependents, such as children, spouses, or in their absence, parents and siblings. The addresses and ages of the various nominees must be clearly mentioned, and the apportionment of percentages to each beneficiary indicated. This list must be updated as and when circumstances change. To avail benefits, they must provide a death certificate. Benefit is paid as a lump sum of the balance in the member's provident fund account. In case of death due to an industrial accident or disease, employees' survivors become eligible to compensation from the Industrial Injuries Compensation Fund. They are paid up to a maximum of GMD 180,000 (Gambian Dalasi), depending on the level of income of the employee at the time of death.
Gambia provides disability benefits to private-sector employees through the National Provident Fund Scheme. Employees become eligible for benefits if they cannot continue engaging in gainful employment due to permanent physical disability. Where a member’s disability is total and permanent, the benefit payable shall be the full balance in their account. Where a member’s disability is partial and temporary, the initial benefit payable shall be a proportion of the current balance in their account. Government-sector employees are eligible for disability benefits under the Federated Pension Scheme. Benefits are granted to employees who retire early due to ill health or disability on a medical authority's advice. All employers must ensure their employees are insured against industrial injuries and accidents under the Industrial Injuries Compensation Fund. Accident victims whose disability is below 20% will receive a single lump sum or one-off payment. The IICF will pay a monthly pension to an individual whose disability is assessed to be greater than 20%, irrespective of their age.
In Gambia, both residents and non-residents are subject to income tax on their taxable income for the year. Tax year is the same as the calendar year, running from January 1 to December 31. Residents are taxed on their worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed on their income from sources in Gambia. Income tax is calculated on gross income after subtracting eligible deductions and tax credits. Income tax rates are progressive, the maximum being 35%. Fringe benefits are not considered a part of income for employees and are paid by the employer separately at the rate of 27% of their value. Income from dividends is taxed at 15%.
Visa Categories
Foreign nationals require a visa to enter the Gambia. The following ordinary visas are available:
Gambia grants the following types of residential permits for employment: Residential Permit A is a residence permit issued to foreign nationals for short-term business visits, but not for gainful employment. Residential Permit B is a residence permit issued to foreign nationals who intend to work in The Gambia. It is granted upon application and approval to business persons, expatriates, unskilled workers, and other professionals who engage in paid employment or income-generating activities in the country. The Non-Gambian ID Card is a document issued to nationals of specific countries, including Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Ivory Coast. It provides an opportunity to legally reside and work in The Gambia.
