This archive report was first published on 7 May 2021.
Kenya's Ministry of Labour has embarked on a mission to secure employment opportunities for its citizens abroad through a Rapid Results Initiative (RRI). The initiative, which ends in June this year, aims to place approximately 35,000 Kenyans in jobs abroad.
Labour Principal Secretary (PS) Eng. Peter Tum, speaking at the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) in Kisumu, said the initiative is a critical step in addressing rising unemployment in the country. He noted that the number of Kenyan migrant workers has significantly increased, with an estimated 4 million Kenyans in the diaspora as of 2020.
According to available data, migrant workers continue to contribute immensely to the country's development through remittances and skills transfer, with over Sh 330 billion in diaspora remittances recorded in 2020. However, the PS also acknowledged that migrant Kenyan workers have encountered challenges, including physical abuse and violation of their human rights.
Eng. Tum emphasized the importance of labour migration in addressing unemployment and ensuring the safety of Kenyan workers abroad. He said the ministry is working closely with ambassadors of respective nations to fast-track the process and has already signed bilateral labour relations with Jordan.
The PS also disclosed that the ministry is spearheading the development of a Labour Migration Policy and a Labour Migration Management Bill to streamline the process and address challenges facing labour migration. He added that the adoption of these documents will enhance orderly, safe, regular, and productive labour migration.
Kenya is also in talks with neighbours Uganda and Tanzania to adopt similar laws once enacted, with the aim of creating a regional approach to handling labour migration. This, according to the PS, will help rein in on unscrupulous employment bureaus that fleece Kenyans and use unorthodox ways to sneak out unsuspecting workers through neighbouring countries.
Eng. Tum also highlighted the importance of equipping Kenyans with the requisite skills to remain competitive in the job market. He said the skilling and reskilling exercise being conducted by NITA will ensure that Kenyans have the right skills for the job market.
