Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi has appointed an 11-member task force to advise the government on the vetting and licensing of agencies recruiting Kenyans for employment abroad.
The task force, to be chaired by Donald Kipkori, is expected to complete its work within three months.
Members of the team include Edith Okoki (secretary), Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary-General Francis Atwoli and Federation of Kenyan Employers Executive Director Jacqueline Mugo.
Others are Carol Kariuki, Mohamud Ahmed, Albert Mwendar, Mike Oloitiptip Sonte, Margaret Mugwanja, Hussein Adan and Scholastica Ndambuki.
The mandate of the task force includes recommending effective regulations for recruitment agencies and vet and recommend a list of bona fide recruitment agencies to operate in Kenya.
DISSOLVE BOARD
Mr Kambi also announced the dissolution of the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) board.
Last month, Mr Kambi revoked the licences of agencies recruiting Kenyans to work in the Middle East.
The agencies also face major losses, running into millions of shillings, after Mr Kambi also temporarily suspended the recruitment and movement of domestic workers to the Gulf region and the Middle East.
The minister said the move would enable the government to put in place “adequate structures” to effectively manage the movement of labour and protect migrant workers.
However, an association of about 200 agencies opposed the move, saying as much as there were clandestine firms and several cases of violations against Kenyan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia, the government’s blanket ban that covers even genuine agencies was wrong.
Source-nation.co.ke
