This archive report was first published on 24 September 2021.
Published on September 24, 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recommended a temporary ban on the recruitment and export of domestic workers to Saudi Arabia until adequate protection measures are put in place.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau told MPs that the ministry had written to the Labour Ministry in July to impose a temporary blockade.
Mr Kamau said since a parliamentary committee visit in 2019 to Saudi Arabia, the situation had drastically worsened with increased death and distress cases.
He cited statistics showing that in 2019, three deaths were reported to the Kenyan embassy, rising to 48 in 2020, and 41 so far this year. Distress cases also rose from 88 in 2019/20 to 1,025 in 2020/21.
“The statistics indicate the dire reality that we face. It warrants bold and decisive action to curb further suffering of Kenyan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia,” Mr Kamau said.
Mr Kamau added that Kenyan citizens should not be seen to be condoning such high numbers of deaths and distress to its citizens, majority of whom are young and vulnerable women.
He emphasized that the Labour Ministry and the National Employment Authority have the mandate to ensure the protection of Kenyan workers abroad.
Mr Macharia told the National Assembly’s Labour committee that the Foreign Ministry plays no role in labour migration and foreign employment of Kenyans.
“Indeed, the ministry only learns about the plight of Kenyan migrant workers when they die or are in distress abroad,” he told the team chaired by Kabinga Wachira.
