CS Alfred Mutua: Problems facing migrant workers in Saudi Arabia start in Kenya

Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr. Alfred Mutua has blamed the mistreatment of Kenyan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States to unstreamlined recruitment agencies in Kenya.

Mutua's sentiments come after he held talks with senior Saudi government officials including his Ministry of Foreign Affairs counterpart Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud in Riyadh on Wednesday and Thursday.

The CS flew to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on November 2 in a bid to address the plight of abused workers in the Gulf State.

"Listening to the victims, agents, Kenya Government officials and Saudi Government officials, it is clear that the problems facing some our people start back home in Kenya. The system is flawed and corrupt and unless it’s fixed, nothing will change," said Mutua in a statement after concluding the talks.

"There is massive corruption in the way Kenyans are prepared before they leave to be domestic workers in Saudi Arabia and follow up of Kenyans when they arrive. This is a major concern to all of us, including the Government of Saudi Arabia. We have to break the cartels and streamline the agencies, some of which are owned by prominent Kenyans."

According to Mutua , the talks culminated in the formation of proposals that will make it easier and better for Kenyans to relate and work in Saudi Arabia where he says they are in high demand.

"We have agreed to work on a modality to get Kenyan labour agencies to have offices in Saudi Arabia to deal with issues concerning their clients. We will, in collaboration with the Saudi Government, flush out illegal agencies and also blacklist agencies that do not perform as per the law," he said.

"We have also agreed to ensure compliance by agents and others when it comes to provision of healthcare to Kenyans, including those who are in the country illegally."

Mutua added that his ministry will, in the coming days, release a set of new instructions and procedures that all hopeful migrant workers will have to adhere to and meet before they can be cleared to travel to the Gulf State.

"Kenyan immigration officers will also not allow Kenyans to travel out of the country as domestic workers without fulfilling the set requirements starting on Monday, 7th November, 2022," he said.

"We have set up a joint Technical Team of Kenya and Saudi Arabia Government officials to fast-track labour issues including the issue of exit visas. They start their work two weeks from today on November 17th, 2022."

He similarly revealed that both Kenya and Saudi Arabia have okayed the formation of a hotline that Kenyan workers can call to air their grievances and report any instances of abuse.

"The emergency hotline number at the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh is +966500755060. On receiving a call, we will take prompt action, including but not limited to engaging the Saudi Government for their assistance: the idea is to ensure every Kenyan works and lives a fulfilling life," he said.

Mutua also requested for an amnesty to be granted to Kenyans who have fallen out of status and are residing in Saudi Arabia illegally, as well as increased quotas to allow trained Kenyans in all fields to get jobs in Saudi Arabia.

"The Kenyan Government is also dispatching additional staff to the Riyadh Embassy to assist in the process of legalizing Kenyans who are out of status and processing traveling documents and other necessary work," stated the CS.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia wishes to get more Kenyans employed in their country and we will play our part as a Government to ensure that more Kenyans can work and earn well working in Saudi Arabia."