Economic Overview, Tourism Capital & River Logistics
The Gambia combines English common law stability with strategic maritime access and competitive regional BPO talent.
Key Economic Sectors
- Hospitality & Eco-Tourism: Major coastal resort tourism and hospitality management.
- Port Logistics & Re-Export Trade: Strategic deepwater port of Banjul transshipping goods across West Africa.
- Telecoms & Agro-Processing: Growing mobile network infrastructure, groundnut processing, and fisheries.
Employment Contracts, Labour Act 2007 & Probation
Regulated by the Labour Act 2007.
- Written Contracts: Mandatory in English for contracts exceeding 6 months.
- Probation Period: Maximum statutory probation is 6 months.
Working Hours, Overtime & Rest Periods
- Standard Hours: 40 hours per week (8 hours/day over 5 days).
- Overtime: Paid at 150% (1.5× base wage); 200% (double time) on public holidays and rest days.
Annual Leave, Public Holidays & Maternity Protections
- Annual Paid Vacation: Minimum 14 working days per year, scaling to 21 working days.
- Public Holidays: 12 official national public holidays (Christian and Islamic).
- Maternity Leave: 12 weeks fully paid maternity leave provided by the employer. Paternity leave is 5 working days.
Social Security (SSHFC 10%) & GRA PAYE Tax
| Statutory Scheme | Employer Share | Employee Share | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Provident Fund (SSHFC) | 10.0% | 5.0% | Mandatory retirement fund (15% total) |
Personal Income Tax (PAYE): Progressive brackets from 0% (up to GMD 24,000/yr) up to 25% top marginal rate, remitted to GRA.
Termination, Notice & Severance Pay
- Notice Periods: 14 days (tenure < 2 yrs) or 1 month (tenure >= 2 yrs).
- Severance Pay: Redundancy compensation negotiated under Labour Act guidelines.
Why Use an Employer of Record (EOR) in The Gambia
- Fast Market Entry: Onboard remote developers and project managers in Banjul in days.
- SSHFC & GRA Compliance: Automated management of 10% employer provident fund contributions and PAYE taxes.
- Work Permit Sponsorship: EOR handles Ministry of Trade and Immigration work authorizations for expatriate staff.
Hiring in Gambia? Key Resources
Whether you are evaluating entity setup vs. using an Employer of Record, or looking for the best international payroll solution, our guides give you transparent benchmarks:
