DUBAI, 25th April, 2018 (WAM) — The UAE and Kenya have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, which aims to promote cooperation in the area of domestic employment.
The MoU, which is complemented by a cooperation agreement on domestic workers, was signed by Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and Ukur Yatani Kanacho, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Kenya, in the presence of several officials from both sides.
Al Hameli said that the MoU is the outcome of the cooperation between both countries in the area of employment, and includes the regulation of the recruitment and employment of Kenyan labour and the work of the private recruitment agencies, with the aim of adopting transparent practices in all stages of the contractual work cycle.
He added that the ministry is always open to new markets for recruiting domestic labour, including Kenyan workers, to answer the needs of Emirati families and business owners while complying with domestic labour laws that regulate the process of recruitment and employment, to guarantee the rights of both sides of an employment relationship.
Kanacho expressed his happiness at the signing of the MoU, which affirms the desire of both countries to enhance their future cooperation in the area of employment.
According to the MoU, both sides have agreed that an employer must present a detailed job offer to a potential employee from Kenya, which must include a detailed description of the rights and duties of both sides and the conditions and circumstances of the specific job. A relevant Kenyan government authority can then ensure that the worker will only sign after reviewing and agreeing to all the details. The offer must also be attached to the work permit application that will be submitted by the employer to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
The MoU also stipulates that in cases of conflict between an employer and an employee, an official complaint must be sent to the specialist department at the Ministry.
It also aims to promote cooperation in technical areas and training, which have been agreed upon by both sides.
The agreement sets the standards for recruiting and employing Kenyan labour in the UAE, so only recruitment agencies that are private, registered and licensed in the country are allowed to present applications to recruit Kenyan domestic labour, through a contract template that complies with domestic labour laws.
The agreement also stipulates that the termination or expiry of a work contract can only take place according to laws and regulation that govern domestic labour, as well as on the conditions of the contract. Conflicts must also be settled according to the provisions of relevant laws and the conditions of the employment contract.
UAE and Kenya sign MoU on domestic employment
