Failure and reluctance by some countries to sign bilateral agreements on labour migration hinder the government’s efforts to ensure the safety, security and welfare of Kenyan migrant workers.
This was raised as the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection revealed 21 private recruitment agencies have been deregistered for various violations.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Implementation Committee on Thursday, Labour PS Shadrack Mwadime said countries are dragging their feet.
“The frustrations we have is that we do follow up with the countries that are supposed to sign the agreements but they are telling us to wait,” Mwadime said.
The PS listed Austria, Canada, Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Ireland, Vietnam and Russia as some of the countries yet to sign the BLAs to protect Kenyan migrant workers.
Others are Israel, Malta, Jordan, Bahrain, Tanzania and Oman.
Some countries have already concluded negotiations with the Kenyan government, but have not signed the BLAs.
“The Ministry is yet to receive feedback or counter proposals from the identified countries,” the PS said.
Tanzania and Oman are among these.
“The draft MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) was discussed during the high-level bilateral forum between the government of Kenya and the Republic of Tanzania held in April 2023 and is awaiting finalisation,” Mwadime said.
Oman's government finalised negotiations and even held a two-day bilateral meeting in June last year but have not signed the agreement.
Currently, Kenya has agreements with Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Britain.
“The BLAs with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE have been reviewed to improve terms and conditions of service, enhance protection of Kenyan Migrant Workers and increase cares of skilled and professional workers covered by these agreements,” Mwadime said.
The Ministry is acutely underfunded, which has made it impossible to visit the said countries for follow up, worsening the situation.
“There is need for us to travel to these countries and keep on knocking their door. But we don’t have the resources to do that,” he said.
