Gov’t introduces new measures for Kenyans seeking jobs abroad

The government, through the Ministry for Labour and Social Protection, has announced a raft of reforms aimed at improving the recruitment and deployment process for Kenyans seeking employment abroad, among them the introduction of a new registration system for employment agencies.

Addressing a gathering of private recruitment agencies and home care training institutions at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Thursday, Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua announced that the initial registration certificate for new employment agencies will now be valid for one year and will cost Ksh.500,000.

"The renewal of registration certificates will be extended to a period of two years, a change from the current one-year renewal period. This will be priced at Ksh.500,000 for two years, or Ksh.250,000 per year with an option for one-year renewal," he said.

"These changes will take effect from September 23, and those currently holding renewal notifications can also benefit from this reform. To ensure compliance, the National Employment Authority (NEA) has fully staffed its compliance section to enforce these new regulations."

Dr. Mutua likewise announced changes to pre-departure training and orientation programs.

"Homecare management training will now be combined with pre-departure training, reducing the total training period from 26 days to 14 days. This new structure allocates 10 days for homecare training and 4 days for pre-departure orientation," he said.

"For other skilled migrant workers, the pre-departure training will be reduced to 2 days. The assessment for these programs will be completed within 5 days, with certification issued 3 days thereafter."

The assessment system will be scored out of 100 points, divided into three parts: 65% for practical assessments conducted by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), 25% for continuous evaluations by trainers, and 10% for pre-departure theory, which includes literacy and civic education.

"The pass mark for this evaluation will be set at 60%. To support the implementation of this new curriculum, NITA will distribute the revised guidelines to all trainers by November 1," said Dr. Mutua.

Furthermore, as part of the reforms, migrant workers who have previously worked in Gulf countries as domestic workers and have successfully completed their contracts will be exempt from the homecare and pre-departure training requirements.

While emphasizing the need for practical training tailored to the cultural context of the destination countries, Mutua announced that the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) is building a model house in Mombasa that reflects an Arabic home setting. The facility, he says, will help domestic workers prepare for employment in Saudi Arabia.

"NITA will also provide trainers with pictures and designs illustrating the minimum standards for an Arabic home. The cost ceiling for homecare management and pre-departure training will be set at Ksh.14,000," said the CS.

"The raft of measures is expected to streamline labor mobility for Kenyan citizens, aligning with the government's ambition to facilitate the deployment of between 5,000 to 10,000 Kenyans to work abroad each week."