The government is planning to establish safe houses in the Gulf region where distressed Kenyan migrant workers can seek help. Labour Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore has revealed this plan.
Bore, while briefing the joint committees on Labour and Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers on National Policy on Labour Migration, said priority will be given to Saudi Arabia where numerous distress cases have been reported.
The CS appealed to the committees to fast-track consideration and approval of the policy. This will pave the way for its implementation.
She further called for support towards the establishment of additional Labour Attaché Offices in key labour destination countries.
The CS said Kenyan migrant workers continue to face numerous challenges. Among them are decent work deficits, inadequate labour migration governance, and migrant workers’ protection.
“Cases of Kenyan migrant workers in distress have been on the rise. This calls for sustainable solutions through comprehensive policy, legal, and institutional reforms,” she said.
Bore noted that the main objective of the National Policy on Labour Migration is to promote inclusive and sustainable development of the country through safe, orderly and productive labour migration.
She said the policy seeks to enhance coordination of labour migration governance in Kenya. It aims to boost transparency, promote foreign employment, protect human and labour rights, and promote the welfare of Kenyan migrant workers. It also seeks to maximize participation of Kenyan migrant workers in economic development.
She further said the policy also seeks to promote equal treatment of foreign migrant workers in Kenya who are lawfully employed. It provides a framework for the collection, analysis, and use of data on labour migration and migrants.
The CS told lawmakers the policy covers the whole labour migration cycle. This includes pre-departure orientation, departure, post-arrival orientation, the entire period of stay during employment, and return to Kenya.
“This is to ensure the rights and welfare of migrant workers are protected during their migration experience,” Bore said.
Bore noted that Kenyans are increasingly seeking for employment in foreign countries hence the critical need for a well-managed, safe, regular and productive labour migration.
“Kenyan migrant workers are present in almost all regions of the World, including Europe, United States of America, and Asia. They are also in the Middle East, Latin America, Canada, and Australia. Additionally, some key African countries such as Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and South Africa host them. The number of Kenyans in the diaspora has significantly increased and is estimated to be 4 million. However, the exact number of Kenyan migrant workers is still a challenge,” she noted.
By ALLAN KISIA
Source-https://www.the-star.co.ke/
