The Gambia Commission for Refugees on Monday conducted a day’s meeting with relevant government authorities informing them that the Government of the Islamic Republic of The Gambia has waived the Expatriate quota Tax for refugees.

This special waiver of Expatriate Tax has come into effect so that ease the acquisition of jobs by refugees with valid refugee card issued by the Ministry of Interior.

In a brief statement at the opening ceremony at the Ministry of Interior in Banjul, Momodou Nai Ceesay, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior and NGO Affairs said, before this move, refugees were facing problems because they could not get employment, as employers would always request for Expatriate quota permission.

Since approval has been granted to waive the tax, he said, the forum was meant to inform the stakeholders, noting that the next move is to sensitise the general public through various media outlets on the new development,

On his part, Jammeh Ceesay, Commissioner, Gambia Commission for Refugees said refugees are people away from their countries due to very reasonable reasons. And once they come into the country, he added, the government has vowed that they would protect their interest.

According to him, The Gambia Government has given refugees special treatment. “This is why we went in for this advocacy so that at least employers would be able to employ them without putting those conditions on them because this is something they need to enjoy.”

However, Ceesay said the move does not mean refugees are not going to pay other taxes like income tax and among other taxes.

by Alieu Ceesay