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."
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