Conclude Kenya-Saudia labour pact, says VP

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has urged the ministries of Labour in Kenya and Saudi Arabia  to conclude negotiations on a bilateral labour agreement. He said the draft agreement should be finalised and signed to address complaints by Kenyan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia. 

There are more than 10,000 Kenyan domestic workers and 40,000 professionals in Saudi Arabia. "We want a bilateral labour agreement to be signed which stipulates binding contracts showing working hours, leave days, remuneration and expectations of both sides," said Kalonzo.

He was speaking when he met 15 women domestic workers who have sought refuge at the Kenyan  Embassy in Riyadh after alleged mistreatment by their employers. The VP said the government has frozen the hiring of more domestic workers from Kenya to Saudia Arabia until the issues are ironed out.

He instructed labour officers in Kenya to deal with recruitment cartels in the country. Kalonzo, however, thanked the Saudi government for supporting distressed Kenya workers  to return home by providing air tickets in consultation the Kenya mission in Riyadh. The VP was on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia.