Use approved agencies to seek jobs abroad, Chelugui tells Kenyans
Kenyans seeking jobs abroad should do so through legally registered agencies, Labour and Social Services Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui said yesterday.
Addressing the press in Eldoret, he said it has become very difficult for the government to help Kenyans, who face challenges while working abroad, if they travelled without notifying relevant agencies.
“It is in your own interest that you go through government agencies as you’re bound to have challenges while abroad like medical or even encounter problems with your employer,” said the CS.
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There are claims that Kenyans working in Gulf countries are mistreated by their employers.
The government banned recruitment of Kenyan migrant workers to the Middle East in 2014 as cases of mistreatment and torture soared.
The ban was, however, lifted in November 2017 and the government introduced tough regulations to govern the industry.
Chelugui assured the government would support initiatives aimed at helping Kenyans access employment abroad to ease the high rate of unemployment locally.
“With the ever shrinking job opportunities locally, jobs available abroad will go a long way in absorbing youths graduating from learning institutions every year,” he said.
Top income earner
Foreign employment, the CS noted, has become a top income earner for the country.
“Last year, Kenyans working abroad remitted Sh334 billion, these are dollars and pounds that came to develop our country, already overtaking tea, coffee and tourism,” he said noting that there are more than four million Kenyans working overseas,” said the CS.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago said the county was ready to work with the Ministry of Labour and Employment Authority to facilitate youths acquire necessary skills that will equip them for overseas employment opportunities.
“Between 2013 and 2017, we have facilitated the training of at least 3,000 youths in the areas we feel had skills gaps as a county, all we ask is for support for a baseline study in skill gaps in the country and globally so that we engage in targeted training approach.
This way, we will know where the labour market is and where the starting point will be for our youths,” said Mandago. -KNA
