The government has highlighted measures it says it's taking to safeguard the welfare of Kenyan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia.
In her statement to MPs on Wednesday, Labour and Social Protection CS Florence Bore said the measures include the signing of a bilateral labour agreement with the Saudi Kingdom on the recruitment of domestic workers in May 2017.
“The BLA is being reviewed to address the emerging labour and employment issues,” Bore said.
She said the review will enhance the protection of the migrant workers and enable them to have better labour terms of service.
“A multi-agency technical committee with representation from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and Office of the Attorney General have prepared amendments to the BLA and the same has been submitted to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for consideration.”
Additionally, Bore said the government has established a labour attaché in Riyadh, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
The offices are among other things mandated to source for employment opportunities, monitor implementation of BLAs and address the welfare of Kenyan migrant workers including those in distress.
Bore, however, said the three labour attaché offices are unable to meet demand and more need to be established in the cities of Jeddah, Dammam, Tabuk and other key labour destination countries.
“The three that we have put there are not enough. We need as many as 14. The government approved the establishment of seven more labour attaché offices in February 2021. However, it is important for this House to note that this has been hampered by budgetary allocation.”
Bore further informed MPs that the Labour Ministry together with other stakeholders has developed a national policy on Labour migration which provides a framework for the promotion of inclusive and sustainable development of the country through safe, productive and orderly labour migration.
She said the policy was submitted to the Cabinet in February this year for review where it directed certain amendments.
The CS said the policy will be resubmitted to the Cabinet in the next three weeks “but all I know is that it should be able to come within a week due to changes that have been made”.
Labour Migration Bill
CS Bore also apprised the House saying a Labour Migration Management Bill, 2023 has been developed by the Labour Ministry in collaboration with stakeholders which seeks to promote safe, ethical and orderly recruitment and safeguard the rights and welfare of migrant workers.
She said the Bill has introduced additional clauses to make recruitment agencies more accountable and periodically report on the welfare of migrant workers recruited.
“Office of the AG has finalized the legal drafting of the Bill which is now awaiting submission to cabinet for approval before submitting to Parliament for approval and enactment. I ask this House to support us on that Bill.”
Besides the Bill, Bore said a curriculum has been developing robust pre-departure training to equip Kenyan migrant workers with basic knowledge of what to expect while working abroad.
She said the curriculum highlights the prerequisite skills needed, information and knowledge to enable them to navigate the various challenges they may encounter during their stay in the Gulf.
“Some of the pre-departure training that we want to equip these workers with are the skills like basic language, let them know the culture of the countries that they are going to so that they are able to adapt easily.”
Welfare Fund
Bore said the Cabinet approved the establishment of the Migrant Workers Welfare Fund in February 2021.
“The main objective of the fund is to be able to provide protection, welfare and assistance to the Kenyan migrant worker out there."
The CS said the National Treasury and the Attorney General have approved the establishment of the Fund under an Act of Parliament.
She said a multiagency technical committee has also been constituted to steer the establishment of the fund.
Further, Bore revealed that the government is working on establishing a specialized social welfare kitty for female Kenyan migrant workers to provide a safety net for those in distress.
“Lastly, the ministry with the support of the International Labour Organization is working towards the establishment of a return and reintegration programme that will enable migrant workers to participate in national development while abroad and upon their return.”
