Government should streamline structures to protect Kenyans working in the Middle East, Garissa Supkem chairman Abdullahi Salat has said.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman are some of the countries where many cases of Kenyan domestic workers being mistreated by their employers have been reported.
One of the latest cases that drew a lot of anger and condemnation was that of Diana Chepkemoi, who had to beg to be flown back to Kenya after citing gross mistreatment and detention by her employer.
Salat said if the situation is not contained, it might get worse.
He said the incidents are creating an impression to most Kenyans, and especially to non-Muslims, that Islam promotes hatred against people of other faiths.
“For the record, these incidents are being perpetuated by a few individuals. The best thing to do is to carry thorough investigations to know who between the employer and the employee is telling the truth,” Salat said.
He asked President William Ruto to take up the matter and engage the relevant governments to ensure Kenyans safely work in those countries.
Salat said the government should identify and get rid of rogue agents who are taking advantage of desperate Kenyans looking for jobs.
Salat said there are plenty of well-paying jobs in the Middle East.
He said it is important to come up with binding regulations.
Parliament has already been petitioned to institute reforms aimed at protecting Kenyan migrant workers in the Middle East.
In a 14-page petition dated September 14 and received by both the National Assembly and the Senate, four petitioners have asked the lawmakers to ensure that Middle East countries conform to the labour statutes.
In July last year, the National Employment Agency told Parliament it would review bilateral labour agreements with Qatar, UEA and Saudi Arabia to address the confiscation of travel documents by employers, restrictions, minimum pay, dispute resolution and contract substitution.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
